Move. Nothing makes you realize just how much stuff you already own more than moving. Suddenly, you realize you have way too much of EVERYTHING, even silly little things like pens and post-it notes. I am now committed to using and using up everything I own, only buying new things when it is critical.
@@Roxannedan OMG YES! I’ve recently moved and I could not believe the amount of stuff I have. And also when I’m traveling. I feel like I need to pack a million things I use on a daily basis.
@ikonora I hear ya. I finally realized that when I'm traveling, I'm probably not going to need every skin care item I normally have in the rotation. Also, anywhere I go that is remotely inhabited is probably going to have a pharmacy or grocery store that sells all of life's necessities if I no-kidding find I NEED something. I probably don't need to pack like I'm going on an arctic expedition, haha!
I love caring for my stuff, I clean my tools and utensils, my surfaces, I polish my furniture, I condition my leather items, I keep my clothes clean and neat, I dusty books and have them in order of topis. I water my plants and I focus on just watering. For me, that is the best way to appreciate my stuff. Also I am a sensory type so when I touch something I make a bond with it. So I am touching my stuff regularly - like I take books out of the shelves, flip through them or I straighten my linen on the bed with my fingers and such. Helps me to be present too. Kinda like a small meditation - also doing laundry is no longer a huge chore for me, it is a way to care for and love my clothes...
@@romanawilhelminacrane9690 I love this comment and this video bc we tend to only talk about interacting with our stuff in terms of acquiring it or getting rid of it. But I also tend to bond with my stuff. Very helpful.
I reorganise my yarn stash quite often and think about what I want to make with them - especially great at times when I feel like I want to buy new yarn
I do the same thing. I touch my items all day long but it takes slowing down to APPRECIATE the touch. Like I can carry my purse around all day but I need to slow down and watch my hands touch the fabric to appreciate it
The best thing is to turn off UA-cam, and stop consuming any content about the stuff. I watch thinking I'm going to get inspiration for how to use my stuff, but more likely/often, I just get influenced to buy more. So just turning it all off is the most helpful thing for me.
Yes, particularly unsubscribing from pretty much all marketing emails. It took me so long to realize that being told about every sale does *nothing* to help me save money, it only cues me to spend money I didn't plan on spending at all by making me less happy with what I already have. Which shouldn't be a big mystery...companies wouldn't send emails notifying customers of sales if it didn't make them more money in the end.
You are so right!! I‘m constantly on and off TikTok because I try to look for outfit inspirations thinking it will help me, but almost every time after a few days/weeks being back on those apps, I notice that I tend to buy things I wouldn’t have bought if I weren’t on this app or at least I tend to want more things instead of it helping me to appreciate/use/wear what I already have!
I've thought about this kind of thing recently too. For anyone who is trying to get out of a habit like overspending or a shopping addiction, social media is poison. It doesn't matter if you're watching deinfluencing videos either, because more than likely those videos are going to show you specific products anyway, and if you are primed to be interested in those items, then the deinfluencing language might not speak louder than the interest. It's actually better to isolate yourself from the temptations - like an alcoholic staying away from bars and restaurants to avoid being exposed to the same atmosphere that fostered their addiction.
Cleaning my shoes (including laundering the laces and re-lacing) makes me appreciate them all over. Conditioning my leather goods. Polishing my jewellery and re-organising it into its box. Lighting a scented candle makes me appreciate my space. Ironing and hanging up my clothes. Doing a gentle declutter or a seasonal refresh where I put away my most used or least used pieces (think mugs, clothes, accessories). Repotting my plants
I am right there with you! I have 5 of the same pants because I rarely find things that fit my legs well and make me feel comfortable but I also have many unused pants that just didn't work out that I thought would fit me.
@@zekmorz I just don’t ever buy clothes that I don’t absolutely LOVE anymore. It isn’t enough for me to like it. If I don’t LOVE it, I don’t buy it. (I do thrift most of my clothes.) I am also super picky about fabrics that feel good against my skin. If things are even the slightest bit uncomfortable, I don’t end up wearing it.
That happens to me a lot. I try to be more conscious but I have a hard time finding good quality pieces that I absolutely love and that fit well. (Not everything can be tailored)
i feel like a lot of people's discontentment with their stuff comes from them not knowing themselves. if you do some self-reflection, if you spend some time with yourself and your thoughts and try to figure out what it is that you REALLY LIKE, it becomes easier to appreciate the things that you already own. for me, this has always been a pretty obvious thing bc i belong to a variety of subcultures whose lifestyles and fashion have all become a part of who i am as a person. but you don't have to be a freak of any kind to do this: just sit with yourself and reflect upon what things really draw you in, what makes you happy and what you feel like is a part of you. you don't find yourself IN stuff; you can find stuff that go together with who you are.
Exactly! And also just realizing that there's no reason to follow trends, especially with how short-lived they are these days. I think people often buy things that they think are trendy even if they clash with their own personal taste or preferences. My advice is to pay attention to the things you tend to gravitate towards and use the most, that will give you a pretty good idea of what you really do like.
what about liking art and paintings but not knowing how to draw? art has always made me happy and ive wanted to decorate my room w artpieces but i dont have talent in art so it feels fake?
I bought items that fit well and were good quality thinking it would fit my ideal self. Now I know myself better I don't buy things if I'm unsure about it. Ie the color or fit or it doesn't feel like me.
@@nildabridgeman8104 many people need more examples to relate to. I love that maxim which was popular in the Great Depression (1930s) and has been revived more recently in the frugality space and elsewhere.
@@karenrobertson1944 modern young women use far too many words for something that's simple. Young women are doing themselves a disservice by overcomplicating things. This is part of why men & women can't get along. Too much complications
What makes me appreciate what I have is the decreasing quality in clothing in general - always more polyester clothing, even in brands like Reformation. I have a bolero shrug with lace that I bought in 2005, that is still in excellent condition. I used to declutter a lot, but now I more mindful of what I am decluttering, knowing that I might not be able to find the same quality.
Appreciating what I have with ADHD can be tricky, because if something isn't in front of me, I forget it exists at all. Im the person who ends up buying multiple of the same/similar thing because I forget that I already had one! A few practices I have found helpful to put my clothes away every week with care and gratitude for each piece. It's kind of like doing a mental inventory of all the cute garments I own, (and there's a 100% chance that they needed to be picked up from the chair and the floor anyway). And then when I think about shopping, I remind myself that anything new is one more thing that I have to store and clean and organize.... and I have already maxed out my limited executive function.
Maybe you can use the fact that you forget what you own to your advantage in this case: start with the base assumption that you already have pretty much all the clothes you could need, and go “shopping” in your own closet. This is what I do with all the stuff I have stuffed away in the basement or attic. It’s fun discovering something you forgot you had
I have the same issue as an AuDHD person. I tend to buy many of the same thing, put it in my closet, and then forget that I have it. All of a sudden I have 20 similar flannel shirts and 5 pair of cargo pants. I am working on doing a declutter and I am also packing away Summer stuff just so I have less clothing to contend with at a time. I don’t know if there is a good solution for the issues that I have besides having everything out and in front of my face.
@@faeriesmakI typed out a really long reply.. That just disappeared into nowhere 😑 I hate YT. I divided all my clothes seasonally w a list of all types of items I have and making sure I have items for all occasions and climates and cuts and colours I like. I decluttered things I didn't enjoy wearing or didn't make sense. I put them in different storage so didn't see my summer and fall items for months. It helped me buy less. I moved items to my main wardrobe w season change. It was almost like getting new clothes after not seeing your items for months. It also ensured I had to look at all my seasonal clothes so I know what I own better and new items feel less exciting. I did also try everything on as I was moving it over just to remind myself and get inspired.
@@CampingforCool41 yes! I moved recently, so I had to unpack and organize everything in the new space. In the process, I realized basically what you said- that I should just assume I already have enough clothes for the climates and occasions I will realistically encounter. I think operating under that assumption will significantly reduce my consumption (at least in the category of apparel). Of course I'll stilll face the occasional impulse to buy something just because I like it, but hopefully I won't be shopping under the false perception that I'm fulfilling a genuine need, when in reality, I already have a [insert necessary clothing item] This all sounds so goofy as I'm typing it out. 😂 But my working memory is actually that bad, and I think the self-awareness and recognition of how it affects my purchasing habits might be a real game changer
@@Sweet_Dee, great tips! AuDHD here, and can totally relate. I have stored backup bath, hair, and face products in the cabinets under my bathroom sinks. (I’m a shopaholic in recovery, so the days of purchasing a ton of “backups” have also come to an end.) Same principle applies to makeup, and clothing to a degree, though my autistic brain has sort of a mental catalogue of my massive wardrobe. I’ll periodically go through my stuff, and realize that I have multiples of a similar product, like face cream, for example. I’m a bargain addict, so tended to go on these shopping sprees where I’d buy a handful of super marked-down items, not considering what was already in my supply.
I work at a thrift store. The amazing items we get donated are sometimes unbelievable. I can no longer justify shopping at a regular store when I know that I can get almost anything I need at around 80% off retail.
I mostly agree with this comment. Where I don't agree is the 80% portion. I live in Alberta, Canada. The thrift store prices here have skyrocketed. Many times it is cheaper to buy brand new than it is to thrift. And that brand new item, not only is approximately the same price, but doesn't have the wear and tear already built in.
@@elsiegreenwich1382 I live in Ireland and in my part of the country most charity shops are run like they're boutiques. They are so expensive I don't shop in them anymore. If I need, let's say, a new pair of jeans I can get them cheaper new. I've seen them priced at €20 second-hand, it's insane.
I work in a donation center run by a large church. The avalanche of stuff that comes in is shocking. People buy so much decorative stuff like curtains, bedspreads, rugs, placemats and then turn around and discard it, then buy some more.
Same goes for food and other things that you would probably forget about on a daily basis. Right know I am working on a little advent calender for a friend. But instead of buying a lot of stuff, I collect stuff I already have at home. Some teabags I don't drink anymore, a cute post card where I write down what I like about her...and yes maybe a hand cream but still...just be creative 🤗
yes, i’ve been giving gifts of things i already have bc there are lots i didn’t even use or open. i’ll be giving my siblings some travel sized items i have that i won’t be able to use. a lot of times most people have a lot
I’m tracking my wardrobe stats for the past 4 years. It’s eye opening, but even after all this time I notice new things that I didn’t pay attention to previously, for example, how long it actually takes to reach a decent number of wears. My latest “rule” is that I only allow new wardrobe additions if I make them myself (knit, crochet or sew) or when something old reaches the 100th wear milestone. It doesn’t mean I’ll declutter the older piece if it’s still functional, but I’ll allow a new addition.
Any other takeaways or things you’ve noticed since you’ve been tracking your wears?? 4 years is amazing!! I’ve only been tracking for 2 years but two and a half months consistently so far. I’m excited about my wardrobe now just by tracking everyday. I love to plan my outfits the day before on the app and I wear my unworn pieces more now. What app do you use, I use OpenWardrobe
You caught me with your question and made me think hard. Apologies for the long answer, but I enjoyed summarizing it. For context, I’m using the Stylebook app to track my wardrobe. Most of the learnings are linked to wear stats in one way or another. I believe that others can make such observations without an app, but visualization and hard numbers help me a lot. Of course, keep in mind it's relevant for my lifestyle and body. - My pants usually give up around 100th wear due to chub rub. They’ll usually get holes before that, but I can extend their life by patching them up. That’s why I never invest in pants. It's not worth it. - Wind and rainproof jackets, on the other hand, are something I’m splurging on as I easily get 200 wears out of them in a couple of years due to my love of hiking and spending time outdoors. - For everyday clothes, 70th wear is typically when I get bored even with my most loved pieces. Now that I’m tracking those stats, I’ll break the boredom by trying to bring that number up. - I'll ruin a white t-shirt in 15 wears or so. Needless to say, no white t-shirts for me anymore. - All the clothes that I regret buying and getting rid of have at least one of these properties: made of synthetic materials and are worn close to the body, even slightly tight around the belly, shoes in which I can’t walk at least 5km, and fit issues (too short, small, etc.). In the last year, I also started paying more attention to outfits, not just individual pieces. I learned that I unconsciously have an outfit formula for my main life activities: working from home in summer vs winter, leaving home in summer vs winter, and working out. If something doesn’t fit into these formulas, it's unlikely I’ll get a lot of wear out of it. The only exceptions are specialized pieces for some of the outdoorsy activities that I love. As for the app, I use it's Packing function to create seasonal capsule wardrobes. It's really fun and minimizes my want for shopping. It's a great challenge to try to rearrange your capsules and maximize outfit combinations. And when I am shopping, I'll add the piece to the app and play around with new outfits to see if it even fits in within my existing wardrobe. Hope this helps❤
I am a dialysis patient. I have a line in my chest that needs to be accessed every second day. That meant that I had to both find clothes to hide the line (think lots of high neck turtleneck thingies) to hide it when I am out, and then a collection of v necks or button downs so that I can attach myself to the machine, Because I have two specific 'tops' I can wear in order to live and not broadcast my illness in a pretty disturbing way to the general population, every time iI choose to wear what I NEED to wear on that day, I am grateful for my careful choices for my sort of strange beautiful life !!!! Have to mention how much I admire and respect your content!!! You're such a thoughtful voice in this seemingly thoughtless world :)
@@christynfitzsimmons5515 wow, this was so vulnerable and heartfelt. Truly touching that you spoke on something that strongly impacts your life, that most don’t even think about. Bless you 💛
This is probably a weird twist on appreciating your stuffs. I had donated LOTS of clothes under the minimalist influence about a year ago, seeing them as the culprit for the mess in my life. Now that I see that I was actually the problem, I regretted donating some of them. We are not rich and our resources are limited. I gave up many good clothes from better days (I don’t know what had gotten into me at the time 😂feel that I must have been possessed) and it’s not like I can get similar quality ones easily. Those are the clothes that have been with me for many years. It’s almost painful to think that I didn’t appreciate them enough and just gave them away like that for the responsibility I myself refused to take at the time. Well, at least it’s a donation. Nothing ends up in the trash (at least I hope). Be careful about trends you see online. The influences could be bigger than you realize. If you’re doing good, you’re probably safer. But if you’re trying to improve yourself and are subject to change like I did a year ago, please BE ULTRA CAREFUL! Random people on the internet don’t always have everything figured out. Their advice is not tailored to you. You may regret what you have done under those influences after a while. Be wise and mindful ❤
I can REALLY RELATE to your comment, although my situation could be for a different reason than many others who may watch this channel, or others similar. I’ve been dealing with a very difficult time in my life lately. I’m 50 years old right now, and at the age of 47, for the first time in my life, I experienced what I guess must be depression, due to a serious endocrine condition. Although I have no reason to feel sad, suddenly I found myself unable to find ANY joy or even contentment in ANYTHING in my life, even things that I’ve always loved with passion. Just ZERO motivation, and feeling like a completely different person. I guess apathy is the best way for me to express this feeling. Not to ramble on about myself, but this has been almost catastrophic mentally & emotionally. So, in my quest to figure this out, I’ve been willing to try ANYTHING to see if I can pinpoint what is wrong with me… So- that was one step that I thought could help- MAYBE, just maybe, so called “minimalism” was the answer to my problem… Ummmm…. Not so much. I ended up doing the EXACT same thing that you described! Giving away things that I’d actually liked, or even loved, but thought represented something that was somehow negative; and the end result would be an immediate relief of my difficulties… Yeah, that’s NOT what happened. Unfortunately. I’m also not in a financial position to just go replace everything that I voluntarily gave away. I’m frustrated that I allowed myself to manipulate my brain into thinking that would actually solve this problem.
I appreciate your balanced view on fast fashion. I bought a skirt 4 yrs ago from H&M that I have used probably around 500 times. It is one my most treasured items in my closet. ❤️
As a tall plus sized person fast fashion is pretty much the only way I can clothe myself. Regular fashion and sustainable brands cater to standard body shapes only, I've found. Because finding clothes that fit is soooo hard I wear them until they're rags even when they're fast fashion which makes me feel less guilty about the disposable aspect.
I like being crafty, so altering clothing that I already have, patching up worn clothes so I can wear them again, or adding embroidery are all fun ways to make something feel new and special. I also have quite a few stickers collected that i haven’t used- putting new stickers on something can make it feel fresh and fun. Instead of getting new phone cases, I cover mine in stickers and then peel off old faded stickers and put new ones on every few months.
As a doll collector, putting dolls I purchase on display in my room can help me to appreciate what I have Having a gorgeous display of the dolls I own reminds me that while a new purchase can be great, I shouldn’t forget about all the dolls I own and love already. I think with collectible items having items on display you can appreciate can bring way more value than having items in storage where it’s easy to forget about them.
@sungexpression9093 Some time ago, Super Dacob made a video about about that as a healing process from buying too many things, in his case luxury fashion. Putting them on display at home to counter the usual cycle of seeing the item on display at the luxury fashion store, bringing it home and leaving it in its box and protection bag.
I agree with this. If you have collectibles that you don't want to display, then why do you have them? I used to have a lot of Swarovski figurines, and at first I loved to display them. But they require more work than most collections, because they need good lighting. After I moved, I had plans to get a dedicated cabinet with lighting for them. But as time went by, I didn't buy the cabinet. After a while, I realized that I didn't love them enough anymore to display them. So I started selling them. While it wasn't easy to let them go, at least I know they aren't taking up space and gathering dust. And while I enjoyed them, their time has passed.
@@dinosaur___7209 Doll collector here also. When your favorite blouse wears out it will usually wear out at neckline, underarms and cuffs. This leaves a lot of good fabric left to make a ''new" outfit for a doll.
I did something some might call “risky” and bought a refurbished MacBook. Little did I know, it was a 2017 model and not long after purchasing it the battery performance dropped. I am currently getting a new battery for the device since there is nothing else wrong with it. At first, I thought I made a dumb purchase, but in reality, I’m making a perfectly fine piece of technology last even longer. I’m so excited to get it back and see how much longer I can make it last! ☺️
This channel is so important for me because I am trying to heal from a shopping/spending addiction. Also because I am hopefully moving next year, this message is important because my goal until then is to use up all my stuff and you inspire me to do that.
Crocheter here! I do a similar thing with my crochet projects to the outfit photos. Craft communities love to encourage random buying of craft supplies without a distinct project, but I already have a ton of supplies. I sort my yarn together by color schemes so that I know what I can pair together. I keep project inspiration on my phone so that I am motivated to use the supplies instead of just hoarding them. Also, crafters often start projects that seem cute but that they won't actually use. I specifically try to create projects I know will have a purpose. For example, I just don't prefer to wear crochet, so I don't crochet clothes. I love blanket making, and so I create color schemes that will match the furniture I already have at home. I do have yarns that just don't match my style as much, but these yarns are great for making baby blankets or gift for friends whose style the colors do match!
As far as I've seen on YT Yarn collections tend to be as big as several storage tubs and sometimes has its own dedicated shelving space. Which is sometimes understandable since some projects do require that much but I've seen many that just overbuy without having an actual plan to use it up and there are those who consider collecting yarn a hobby and idk about that... I personally keep any collection of mine limited especially newer interests but if you asked me about my art supplies, I've been working on a watercolor set for a while and it's staying here so much that I've taken a break from it 😂😭
Using what we already have is ALWAYS the most sustainable thing to do. I was given a lot of beauty products and I use them up one by one. I’ve also learned to shop way less and only buy clothes and shoes that work for me, whether they’re in fashion or not. What also helps is being a 40 something 😂 The pressure of having to fit in is gone. Knowing who you are and what you truly love and use comes with age (for me at least). The pressure to keep up with trends is gone too and that’s so freeing! ❤
Visible mending/ darning: the more I fix a piece of clothing visibly with fun colours, the more I appreciate it. Take care of my leather shoes/ bags regularly (including simple repairs).
Yes! The freedom I have felt for finally just wearing what I want for the last ten years has been almost unmatched. I realized a while ago I like to wear very basic, very simple, and very similar outfits. I like to be comfortable while I chase after kids and do all the things. Do I have a few people I follow for inspiration on the VERY few special occasions? Yes. But they reuse the same pieces constantly, they are very tailored to my tastes and are for sure not the majority. I always say I am minimal gothic mom. I am always in black, in my big old black boots, and have my staples of black jeans or leggings, and a simple black t shirt or tank top with a black cardigan over. That’s it. And it’s so nice to not care about being trendy, or have to mentally plan what I am going to put together because I already know what I have and love
Black is such a great go to color cause it looks bold and beautiful but I'm not stressed about if I spill coffee or sauce on it! I don't have kids but I've worked with kids a lot and wearing black is great for spontaneous fingerpainting or whatever may come
@@cn7228 I think it’s pretty bold too! I am a redhead and very pale, so it’s for sure a statement for me. And yes! With kids I get so many spills, random markers, and slight rips that are easily mended without really being noticed because everything is black.
We buy out of a need to fill a void, as well; like loneliness. We also buy things for the lifestyle we hope to have, like buying formal wear or dress up clothes for all the exciting parties and events that we don't even go to, but imagine that we will. For many years, I had a very limited wardrobe and when I did get invited out, I had to scrounge for something to wear. I had one winter coat which wasn't a dressy coat. The very first thing I bought myself; when I had the money; was a black wool blend coat.
I absolutely love my wardrobe right now! TBH, im excited about the process of wearing everything until it's no longer wearable. Also, like you, im digitally decluttering my life. I watched a dollar tree haul yesterday. I felt the NEED to go to the dollar tree, even though I've only been there one time! I didn't go.
I'm the same way. I love wearing the same things over and over with only a little variation, and I love the idea of wearing something until it's literally falling apart. I don't like buying new clothes unless I have an overt need for them, and even then I always always always thrift.
I was given the idea to become a art teacher and charge people $50 like a job. They usually say also recommend -Volunteer to help community -Job -other great ideas
I DO wear most things until they are trash. Once it's stained or ripped it's "play clothes" and I keep wearing it for gardening, cleaning, and other types of work where I'm going to get dirty.
What really helped me to reduce my consumption of things I didn't need, was the fact that I noticed, that none of the stuff will actually make me happy, or solve my inner longing for a deep connection. I also noticed how more stuff, becomes a burden, when you have to organize it and search for things longer, cause there is just so much of all of it. My situation changed, now I really think longer if I will buy something new. I am still trying to reduce the things I already have, I still feel the impact (how much I have) due to years of shopping addiction. Each reduction or using up of something improves my well being. What also really helps me, are the videos in things, I watch them, and at the end I don't want to get anything, also with trends, if everyone has it- I don't want it anymore, since it becomes boring in a way, also when I see how bad the quality often is, and that things are often a form of plastic and it's not great for the environment nor my body/skin, it is also a turn off for me. What I also do is, I try to find ways to implement what I already have or style and combine it in a different way, it keeps me creative. 😊
I am plant crazy n when I'm tempted to buy a new plant/feel bored of the ones I have I move my plants around the house to new homes. It changes the look of the space n makes the plant look new. I also take cuttings making new baby plants which is so exciting and satisfying. I have a private group of 4 planty people where we share the progress of our plants. I've grown so attached to some I've had for 3+ years, it brings so much more joy looking at my 4 foot tall monstera that i got when it was 15cm tall rather than a side table with 6 random ornaments.
I enjoy not only using the things I habe, but creating a story with them, especially with bigger things, like furniture. I have a desk which my grandfather made for me more than 10 years ago. It‘s quite basic but it was with me during my years of teacher‘s training and then the first years of working full time. I remember the hardships of this time and also the fun I had. I still love it and would never change it for a modern piece.
This is so important! I love looking at my closets/items and knowing that there is a story to it - found it in a charity shop while on a trip, a desk I have found next to a dumpster and revamped it(lol), a t-shirt I had since high school and think about the times when I first got it and wore it a lot. feels much nicer than looking at my stuff knowing it's just all new stuff from shein, Ikea
Sometimes I put my makeup back in it’s original package it came in just to feel the dopamine hit from opening up a ‘new’ package of makeup without actually buying something new I used to do the same with my toys as a kid growing up. I realized that I loved the feeling of taking it out the box so sometimes I would put my Barbie back in the box from the store so I could feel like it was new :)
I appreciate my clothes by actually wearing them often!! It sounds stupid, but it’s true. When I was declutterring, I thought “Do I want to wear this once a week?” And only kept and now wear that stuff.
I am a maker. Fully finishing objects (for knitting, weaving in ends; for cross stitch, displaying it somehow) and then using or displaying them definitely helps. At the beginning, it felt very kids’ art on a fridge, but it has definitely helped my mood. Over the years, I have definitely got comments. But every time I see it, I think, I made that. Because I made it, I don’t mind hand washing it, etc. I started wearing shawls because of this. All of this doesn’t stop me from buying more hobby stuff. For that one, shop your stash first, and you can make different decisions from the pattern based on what you have.
I love how you point out that using and being happy with what you have greatly outweighs any efforts to consume more things (that you don't need) in a more sustainable way. Firstly, companies are greenwashing left and right and trying to market themselves as "sustainable" all while continuing to do so much to the contrary. Truly sustainable options are often high priced, as you mentioned. I also think that buying second hand isn't at all what it used to be with thrifting becoming somewhat "trendy" and certainly more expensive. At the root of it, the thrifting market really is fed by overconsumption...and also feeds overconsumption. People feel justified in getting rid of perfectly good things to make space to buy new ones because they're "donating" them or selling them second hand. It all ends up being waste sooner or later, usually sooner. My advice for donating is to give directly to a local non-profit organization who can and will actually use those donations to help those in need.
👋🏻 crafter, here! yarn-addicts like to say "shop your stash" to encourage one to enjoy/use what one already has. I have a huge shelf/case that is full of unused yarn, and a spreadsheet outlining all the money I spent on that unused yarn. Confronting these directly helps me to not buy more. Unfortunately, it did not help prevent me doing the exact same thing with subsequent hobbies, overbuying. But I do think I'm getting better with each hobby/phase as far as spending less and using more.
i love yarn and the way that i go about it is i go to goodwill and i have the goodwill bins near my house i have found bags and boxes of yarn that a lot of it is in perfect or untouched condition and i buy it for maybe a dollar. reusing the art materials instead of buying brand new
For me my Christian faith helps me a lot. Whenever I feel tempted to buy new things I recite the Bible verse where Jesus says: "Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions" or something similar depending on which translation you're reading. It also helps to remember that everything I have is a blessing or a gift from God and none of it is truly mine. It helps me appreciate everything God has given me and it helps motivate me to be a better steward of the blessings I've been given. I've learned that when I have too much stuff I feel like I'm suffocating but I'm also a maximalist artist so I have to strike a balance. Back the the whole faith aspect it helps to remember that all of these objects as pretty and awesome as they are mean absolutely nothing in the long run and the intangible is what's truly important. It's also important to note that the resources we have on this earth are enjoyed best when shared generously so I don't really have any intention to hoard resources or objects anymore. Overconsumption doesn't make sense when you view the world through a biblically influenced lens.
@@streichedelicI was actually going to make the EXACT same comment, and I was in no way trying to be contrarian. Maybe it’s just me, but I also don’t always notice how old specific comments are when I make a reply. Isn’t that the point of online social discourse? There ARE other perspectives to the supposed “climate crisis” view. You might be surprised to find out that the VAST MAJORITY of actual meteorological scientists of any credibility DO NOT subscribe to the current climate change hysteria trend. It’s just not backed by any real, solid evidence, unless you are solely relying on model-based research. Of course, this is a matter of debate, but I personally do not think that this sector of the scientific community has proven itself to be a reliable source, especially in the realm of “climate science.” That said, there ARE a lot of so-called “environmental” topics that I personally think are worth exploring & talking about; some examples that I consider important are overconsumption, overfishing, ocean pollution (this could encompass several areas of concern, such as trash, but one area that really concerns me is noise pollution, especially from wind farms, which produce epic levels of noise & vibrational disturbances which negatively impact several different types of species on a huge spectrum) safety of the food & water supply in the US, overuse of unhealthy pharmaceuticals… there is a LONG LIST. The climate is ALWAYS changing, I mean, the farther away we get from the equator, the more drastic the changes are; they’re called seasons. We may want to believe that there have been drastic changes, because of the enormous amounts of time, money & media attention invested in these changes, the actual data doesn’t support the claims. Hurricanes & tornadoes are NOT more severe or even more frequent today than they were in the past. They may SEEM worse, because of the attention that they garner, but they are not statistically more severe than they’ve been in the past. Now, the caveat to that statement is that they likely DO affect more people now than they ever have in the past, because of the population growth in the regions most likely to experience those types of weather disturbances. And, if we’re being honest, OF COURSE we notice them more & actually SEE their impact on a regular basis, because of the rise of social media & video capable cell phones that turn everyone into amateur reporters. I’m not in any way trying to antagonize anyone for having different beliefs. In fact, I really DO have a great deal of compassion for those of you who live in fear of what may be coming in the future, as far as the climate is concerned. I hope that you realize that I’m very sincere when I say that I hope you take some time to do some unbiased research from sources with views opposing your own, and that you do this with an open mind. I’m in no way trying to be condescending, because an ENORMOUS amount of resources have been devoted towards facilitating this “climate crisis” narrative. There are SO MANY different facets to the reasons why, but the bottom line is that it’s been a very lucrative business model. But, unfortunately, it’s done a LOT of damage; not only in regards to the capture of scientific research by these ideologically motivated campaigns, which is harmful in SO MANY different ways, but even more importantly, this agenda of purposely misleading the people into believing that their very lives are in danger is just beyond any kind of moral standards. If you start to look at these issues from a cost analysis perspective, I think that it might ease your fears. No one in the elite billionaire class is doing anything to indicate that they personally harbor ANY of the fears they willingly project onto others for their own financial interests. One very simple way to illustrate this point is to look all around the world at oceanfront properties- there’s nothing to suggest that anyone BELIEVES that these are somehow a risky investment, suddenly about to topple into the sea! IF that were truly the case, you would see people putting these assets on the market immediately… AND people wouldn’t be able to insure them. Not only are these properties continually increasing in value at astronomical rates, but one of the fastest growing businesses is “high risk” insurance. Not because these companies feel that the property is going to disappear, but because they are more prone to risk of weather related damage because that’s what occurs next to the ocean. Sorry, I’ve rambled on a long time. This is, of course, only one topic of many, many more that I truly hope we can ALL start to talk about without so much judgement with one another, because believe it or not- this EXTRA partisan, openly antagonistic, pro-censorship mindset is relatively new to our society. And, it’s SO incredibly divisive that we all need to recognize how dangerous & destructive it is, and we need to unite against it, once and for all.
I just love my stuff. I am a minimalist and everything I have, I've gotten for a reason. I don't have access. This really helps to appreciate every single item. The more I use something, the more I love it, because it becomes a "friend". How much do you appreciate a friend you had for 10 years? Right, TONS.
I make mooodboards to plan outfits and overall vibes each season. This gives me similar dopamine to shopping & fulfills the "play" elements I love as I unpack each season after being stored away for months. Spending an hour taking photos of outfit combos instead of an hour shopping is just as fun for me.
There was a trend MANY years ago in the book community where if you had a large tbr you would wrap it up so you couldn't see what each book was anymore, and often times people would forget what was on their tbr when they pulled a book off to read and got excited to see the stuff they already owened again! with my wardrobe, i didnt buy new clothes for three years just because it was so hard to get clothes that fit me where I lived, it made me really appreciate the pieces i bought before I left and allowed me to really run some pieces so ragged that no mending would save them lol
I don't know if this is what people were doing, but I imagined actually gift wrapping the books so it was like opening up a new gift when you are ready to read something new 🥰 and that sounds lovely!
I agree with everything!!! This year I went on a low buy and I feel so much abundance in my wardrobe and in general with the things I own. But I would argue, there’s habits that are more proactive and collective that we should focus on alongside. Protesting, community building, mutual aid have such big impact that is actively resisting the system and not just divesting from it. Again, I advocate to do both but we have to collectivize the conversation
Became a terrible Old Navy employee when I got into KonMari and told customers not to buy stuff they didn't want... god, happy I'm no longer in retail.
As a reader, I find booktok and bookstagram to be extremely consumption-driven. As much as I'd love to follow fellow readers, I opted out. Results: I no longer have a pressing need to read THE book (=buy it) and instead of ordering dozens of books a year, I now buy maybe 5 well thought-out books a year. Saved my love of reading by taking the pressure off, highly recommended!
@nooraneo yes! I will also say using the Libby app, reading ebooks, and still having access to my highlights after the loan period ends has been a game changer. I don't feel any pull to accumulate physical books.
I make, thrift, and shop clearance almost exclusively. I've learned what fabrics and brands I prefer for longevity. I recently picked up a jumper dress at an Old Navy outlet for $20. It's made with a linen/rayon blend that would have cost me $65 in fabric alone to make. It needed some alteration, which I'm blessed to know how to do, and was totally worth it. I absolutely love it and will wear it for years. Sustainability can come in multiple forms.
This is an extremely important and digestable message! Thanks to you i unsubbed from some haul channels i was watching which really helped me embark on my no/low buy months. Additionally i do buy clothes from shein and i have had those items im my wardrobe for years, when i buy the right thing for my needs regardless of where its from it does live on my wardrobe long term.
Every year I write a small list of items that I really like using or having and am grateful for having them. I also write down what they are for and why I like them. Like a tiny award ceremony for things I own. Most of the time those objects are not new and they get on the list every year. I like to think of it as a fun way to understand what I need in life and a chance to be grateful for them.
This ❤ over and over I tell the universe I love having good cast iron skillets, sewing machines that are vintage work horses, a nice box of fabric scraps for mending, books of favorite stories....so many things in life to be happy about.
I realized when i started staying on top of my laundry that I actually did have stuff to wear lol also getting organized helped because i forget i have stuff all the time
Funny I was watching this while mending a shirt I took from my dad in high school lol. I am now 34. This is how I appreciate my things. I fix them. Loved the video 💚
@ENUFbyMNT I can so relate! Lol. I started listening to this video as I was getting ready for my morning walk and realized that the hoodie that I pulled out of the closet is one that my son left here when he moved out to go to university. I don't really remember what year that was, but he is 45 years old now, so this hoodie is pretty old now. I wear it almost every day.
I’m so glad I sell my stuff myself and own shirts that are 10 years old. But I can still be better. I failed at a no-buy, that made it clear to me that I need to pay even closer attention to my habits, it’s like you said, if you have a problem with shopping as a coping strategy then appreciating your stuff won’t solve the problem. I also fluctuate in my weight a lot, now I’m on my way down but there’s a lot of stuff I own that doesn’t yet fit or I needed new because my body has changed. It’s a luxury to have the same size for years. 😂 Besides that I’m very happy my hobby is sewing since that makes thrifting so much more attainable even though I’m very tall for a girl (6’).
Sometimes, I'll DIY, or add embellishments to my clothing and other objects, when I find myself getting bored with my stuff. That helps me to appreciate it more, as it's something unique that I added my creativity to, that nobody else owns.
I started recently making sure I use and finish whatever that I have. For example, body lotions! Now, I have a single body lotion, instead of 3. And everything week, I pick one day and I "clean-out" and "donate" what I don't want. To say the least, I'm surprised on how much I have that I don't use. It's not that I am trying to be a minimalist, it's just that I'm trying not be some who wastes stuff and is mindful of being and living REALISTICALLY in harmony with myself and the world. Overconsumption makes us forget what we need and what we want. It makes us also forget what's really valuable and what isn't.
I lost a lot of weight 4 years ago had to size down quickly, but not wanting to spend a ton, I started brining my clothes to consignment stores and buying second hand myself. I did get rid of a lot of my clothes but so many I had really loved and just put away in a box. Now I wear them again but have gotten creative. Some of the shirts fit more like tunics so I’ve implemented belts and am going to learn to sew! I was a big over-consumer of fashion in my 20’s but I did find many quality items. They just don’t make them like they used to lol but for real, my 10-15 year old clothes look, feel, and wear better than anything I can find now in stores I can afford. So I’m getting creative and loving fashion again! Plus hunting down a cool, interesting item in my local consignment store has been a fun activity when I truly needed something.
Keeping my things neat/orderly and making an inventory of what I have (in areas where I’ve overspent) has really helped me appreciate what I have and to resist buying things. It took more than a day to sort and organize my loose art paper, but it was really worth it to know what I had going on and to remind myself of some things I had forgotten about. I also did a notebook round up and realized it will be at least three years before I will “need” anything like that. They’re sorted and all together. When I finish one I pick another in a different size and paper type and I enjoy the change. Since the beginning of the year- I’ve been working in selling items I haven’t used enough or feel lukewarm about for whatever reason. It’s taken a while, but I reached my goal last week! I feel lighter. I worried I’d feel regret, but I haven’t at all. I might reassess in a couple of weeks and keep going😂. I still have plenty plenty, but it almost feels easier to use my things when I have a more reasonable amount.
What you said at 21:45 about how you’re typically not influenced to buy things when you’re reading - Aldous Huxley said the same thing back in the 1930s with Brave New World: “Every man, woman and child compelled to consume so much a year. In the interests of industry (…) You can’t consume much if you sit still and read books.” (P 42 in the Vintage edition). The writing is dated, but I think you’d be heartened to read it and see how some of the most influential writers of the 20th century had strong views on our consumerist habits too. Thank you for this well-argued video
I would love to see a video series where your subscribers can send you things that they need talking out of and you would do that for us in a video. I think it would be extremely helpful for those of us who are trying to overcome unhealthy and irrational shopping behaviors.
I love beautiful tags or silly pamphlets (gachapon or from gardens) and i place it on my journal they call it junk journaling. As i am an artist myself i like appreciating the little details people make and its very nice seeing it all collaged together!
Amazing message! I bought 2 pairs of jeans off temu 2 years ago and those are still the only jeans I wear. Not buying any clothes for 1 year definitely saved me a lot of money and allowed me to direct energy onto more important things.
I love having things around ke that are meaningful to me amd have memories of other people. I agree that looking after what you have and that older things are better quality so I am reluctant to get rid of them for newer inferior versions so I use what I have
Oohh yes!! I'm not months behind watching!!! I look forward to your videos!! You open my eyes and get me asking the right questions before buying. I went into Kohls to shop for my son clothes and needed 1 tablecloth...I left with only with his clothes and my tablecloth and the fall decor was screaming at me!!
Hi , im from a Jamaica and i have never bought items i never needed and i never bought anything over 100 usd. the west always try to make it seems as if having an expensive item and having many things is the only way to be happy
This may be a hot take, but to enjoy what I have, I started approaching things with the intent of destroying them. My no.1 reason for buying new stuff was this weird pedestal for the old stuff. What if I break this porcelain cup. What if I waste this cleaning product, the instructions are kinda complicated... better buy a simpler version. My kitchen is so messy after cooking...well, takeout is an option.... Jeans get worn down, sweaters get covered in rolls of wool... I didn't want to admit the decay, nor to be extra careful with my stuff (that's just another form of stuff slavery. I never wanted to be the person running after family members and guests with wet wipes or getting into arguments about dusting. I don't want to spend my life thinking about protecting inanimate objects, sometimes at the expense of good mood, mine and others'). So, my method is, the kitchen must be destroyed. The notebook must be filled with crossed-out messy lines. The cleaning agent must be wasted. That's the necessary first step to start using my stuff. I need to throw it off its pedestal. This boost of destructive chaotic fun is an antidote to boredom, too. I feel like a kid playing in the woods, with zero care for dirty clothes but all the excitement of just holding, using (and sometimes smashing) stuff. Turns out, using things once saves a lot of money compared to using them never.
I want you to know that I got a major dopamine rush thinking about... my parents' mugs that they collected in the seventies and eighties, beautiful earthenware, that I've been saving for no good reason. For a home I don't own yet. They were going to get rid of that beautiful set but I said, "Girl. This is my aesthetic." And it so is. And I have a beautiful glass mug that I use on the regular, but I'd like to have more than one mug in rotation. So this weekend, I will be digging a mug out of the set that my parents gave me, and adding one to the cabinet. Now I'll have two mugs that are me-sized and perfect for my chai lattes.
Shawna, I have been binge watching your videos for the last 2 days and I have to say that it's so refreshing hearing the opinion about over consumption. I'm currently in Japan having a break from home and all it's problems trying to find some kind of mental peace and a life path to follow. I'm tired of looking for external validation, that the only source of "happiness" is buying things. I have to say that I have never feel more empty than when I spend $200, $300 or more USD on things I don't need. I feel so empty looking at all these shinny stuff and feeling emptier than ever. You, other youtube channels and books are pulling me out of these "consumerism trap" that is only rooting our brains and making us more sick. Thank you for your content! Now more than ever I need it!!! :D
Every week I have a new concept for my mani, often to hit a seasonal theme and often swatched weeks in advance. The rule is to use as many polishes as possible. And for clothes I like to put together 2 weeks of outfits for work based on the weather forecast. Honestly just swatching or merchandising my stuff gives me so much and it lets me use more of what I have in depth better over time.
Lately I’ve been mixing in yarn textures to get different looks out of my shawls. I also enjoy making simple knits like loose wool beanies made of sock yarn. It makes for a light and soft fabric. Babies are always being born so I enjoy using up older yet artisanal yarn that needs a function to be truly appreciated.
In my house we trade stuff, so we have some novelty. We tell stories about our things, like how many places a suitcase has been, which events were seen by certain outfits. I see stuff lasting as an accomplishment.
I've been using CBT coping methods to try and prevent buying things. For me, I'm just looking for the hit of happiness I get from buying things. The worse my life feels, the more I buy. I hate that fact about myself. I feel stupid, but somehow, nothing seems to change.
Going cruelty free with makeup curbed my makeup buying overnight. Not just the brand has to be CF but it's parent company ie no Nyx because its parent company isnt CF and to me kt feels like them double dipping - having a CF subbrand for the kudos but not really caring. When i lost weight (half my bodyweight) the way o went OFF on buying clothes. But now...i went comfy and never went back. Nobody is looking at me and I can glam it up when needed but otherwise the bogwitch dont care
I’ve been doing lots of rotation. For example my closet, when I put the laundry away it all goes to the back so the clothes I didn’t wear that week come to the front. Then I can see which items I’m avoiding wearing and they look at me every morning until I wear them. Been doing a lot of layering so then I can get through multiple clothes I’ve been avoiding in one go. Fixing things! I fixed up an old guitar and I thought I would try to sell it once it was fixed but now I want to play it. Rotate where things are stored. I moved the hairbrush and perfume to be with the makeup stuff and that made room for my jewelry to go on my dresser. This gives a fresh feeling to the same old products lol. Borrow books from public library or get books for free from the little library instead of shopping. Spending time to make sure I’m reading and have discovered a love for non-fiction! Love your work Shawna!
I wear my unique and fancy jewellery everyday. That alone is appreciation. But it makes me feel more like myself in any outfit, so it takes the pressure off the clothing to be expressive. My biggest issue is fomo for the categories I do love the most, things I have high hopes to appreciate, but do not need to expand my collection at this point in time
Love this message! There is obviously consumption content but I have also become very wary of minimalist wardrobe and capsule wardrobe content/groups as I don’t feel it encourages me to use my stuff. The idea that I need to be able to document a set number of items and make nice neat (perfect) outfits has the opposite effect on me. I do respect and understand it helps others but for me the message to use what I have is much more effective. I still declutter for breathing room and to release items that no longer suit me but I don’t try to get down to a small number of items. I keep what I still like and what still suits my lifestyle. To keep myself from buying more I may set a limit so I don’t buy more but I don’t give myself the pressure of removing items I will still use to get to an artificial social media definition of minimal or capsule. I hope that makes sense. I think hunting gathering the perfect items is a trait I’ve always had and so the idea of creating a capsule can work against me in my efforts to consume less.
I download an app called Whearing and digitalise my wardrobe, it helps me so much to see what I have and discover new combinations, also because the clothes are in the app feels like you are shopping of your wardrobe, I don't know if that's necessary good but I think it helps to see your clothes with new eyes. And lastly, you don't forget what you have because you can see it more often if you use the app. Love your content 💖
great point about the manufactured interest. initially I was never really that interested in makeup, fashion or handbags. social media kind of brought me into it. also you mentioned in another video that the first reaction is generally what you feel about a product. most of the time, I didn't love trends when I first saw them, but with more time it became something I thought I wanted.
Love this video! I have been rewatching your contentment videos from a while back and they have been a huge help to me. Nice to see you are still talking about the importance of using and enjoying what we already have. Thank you!
You inspired me to go through my clothes and organize them for winter. It led to me throwing some stuff out, which means I may also end up buying things again. We'll see. At least now I remember what I have. Enough painting clothes, that is for sure. 😅
I found your video again, and i'm so glad that i'm a subscriber to your channel. I have found that in my past month or so, i've just lost the will to limit my consumption. And now i'm paying the price- my house is cluttered and I don't feel so good about things in my life right now. I thought I could watch youtube to fill my time, but it guided me towards influencers i've watched in the past - and led to several unintended purchases. So this is a great reminder to make sure that I am enjoying what I do have, rather than thinking I don't have enough. Thank you so much for keeping up on your channel and providing so many great things to think about.
"Eliminating the detractors that make you wanna buy stuff" 👏 YES! Perfectly illustrates my continued urge to minimize a bit at this stage - it's not for the sake of minimalism, but rather for all the positive effects of a smaller collection of stuff. When I love my wardrobe (which I do), why would I want to possibly mess it up by bringing in something new?
I love this video. Esp not being able to shop our way out of problems. It’s interesting about fast fashion - I started buying things from shein well over 10 years ago before it got the connotations it has today. I still have a good 90% of the clothes I bought back in the day from there. I have definitely reduced my consumption as I’ve gotten older and I think it’s important to recognise it’s about changes in the habit rather than making people feel they should just “buy better”.
Hi, I have been watching your videos for months, really enjoy the thoughtfulness and supports my own efforts to think deeply about my consumption habits. I recently saw a video critiquing Western culture and the underlying mindset related to resource extraction and a pattern of endless consumption of resources, which ultimately came down to a dearth of creativity and soul, for lack of better words. When a person hasn't developed their creative expression they copy, exploit or draw off of others' creativity and claim it as their own. This process describes that influencer loop we all see on YT, both first hand and second hand exploitation of creativity. If we could all just mind our own business more, stop peeping into others' closets and focus on our own lane, develop strength to stand in our own creative process, it would kill these multibillion dollar industries very quickly. Others make a lot of money off of promoting conformity, stifling individual creativity, and denying the realization that we don't need all of this crap that is being marketed relentlessly to us.
I have always enjoyed looking through the fashion trends (who,what,wear etc) and seeing what I already have, that fits the trend. Makes me appreciate what I have and makes me feel on point with my previous fashion choices 😂 for example I have a red jumper, mock neck, balloon sleeves, relaxed fit, that I have had for around 7 years. Then saw a pretty much identically shaped red jumper being touted as a new trend for autumn this year! Perfect! Thanks as always for your content Shawna ❤
Learning how to alter my clothes to fit better/look different, taking an inventory and tracking how long it takes to use something up, embroidery to personalize things, getting creative to find other uses for things that I have
Really enjoyed this video! My husband and I just deep cleaned our bedroom and got rid of any clothes we don't wear so this was a great time to see this video. Right now I am enjoying what I have by making a bullet journal. In the past, I used to buy a new journal when I needed one. Right now I am looking around the house and seeing what old notebooks or piles of paper I have. I am cutting them down and making cute covers and creating a Travelers Journal style for myself. i did buy some foam to make the overall covers but the inserts are made from old notebook paper and craft paper I already had. I tied them up with some craft floss I already had too. My goal was to buy as little as possible and make do with what I had in the house already
I love all my stuff…love it…sure it’s hard when you move but the thing that really depresses me and totally puts me into a low mood is my husband constantly make comments about it…about how it’s a mental sickness I have….he comments of tv shows and will say…there that’s you you’re a hoarder….and how he will throw everything away if I pass before him. And just for the record I’m not a rubbish hoarder my house is clean tidy and organised ….I just have a lot of garden stuff…..craft stuff…..office stuff….I might need this stuff…..but him making comments about my mental state does nothing to help me. Actually makes me think even more how much happier I would be with just all my stuff and him gone. Sad but true.
I got the idea to rotate displaying my stuffed animals on the month/season when I moved into my new place because showcasing them all at once was too cluttery for me. I also kept an old and tattered shoe rack because... It goes in my closet and still holds shoes 🤷 but I've been buying new things too as I've just moved into a new apartment. I've been trying hard to make sure I only get stuff I need and not to go overboard. I might use old pillows with designs on them as decorations around my place, sort of having a themed corner (of stuff I already own). I have a Pyrex that I can melt old candles in and create wax melts of what's left, or I can create new candles with them I'm planning on getting a clothes rack to showcase my favorite hoodies/sweatshirts in my bedroom because I have been collecting them and I want to rotate what I wear and it's just easier if they're out for me to do that
I love putting on your videos while doing chores - I also feel like you helped me a lot to go back to my 'roots'. Around the time I left high school, moved out I had a much more minimal, conscious consumer mindset, but along the way of trying to balance uni and adult life and influences of social media made me go off that path a bit. Watching videos like yours made me think about my purchases more!
I realized that sometimes 'aestheticizing' parts of my life or routine can bring me lots of joy initially, but the upkeep on that kind of thing is more stressful than it's worth. So once a week (usually a Saturday night or Sunday morning) I spend a few hours being super 'aesthetic'- make a nice dinner or brunch and plate it with a garnish, take a picture of it maybe, but I don't fuss if it's not perfect. Warm food is better than pretty food! I make a fancy latte or mocktail, and then I either do my makeup or have a long shower, 'shopping my stash' for stuff I haven't used it awhile. I put on a cute outfit, usually I plan a little theme or vibe in my head and then shop my closet for it. Sometimes I go for a walk or take selfies, but usually I then just hop on discord with my friends and look cute as all get-out while we play a game or watch a movie!
That sounds so fun! Something I do is plan themed triple-features on my rare down days. I like horror and weird philosophical movies so it can get pretty out there, and I do better at getting through my to-be-watched when I frame it as a comparison marathon. Then I get to discuss the experience with friends even if they have’t seen the films themselves.
I honestly feel like that the fact that we want an aesthetic life made consumerism Skye-rocket, it definitely feels nice to have a tidy, pretty place, but there is definitely a limit - like finding what you like instead of buying stuff that's super trendy. Love your idea, I struggle with this and this seems like a good balance
Love, the idea of dressing using themes, I've been doing this for sometime now and it's been nothing but fun. I've been wearing items I haven't worn in years in addition to my husbands stuff. Last week I used one of his little tool bags as a purse because my theme for the day was construction worker. So I rocked my reflective vest, carpenters pants, steel toe boots and tool bag, and yes, I was just going to the mall, but I had so much fun.
You should try the apps for your closet like indyx! I absolutely love it and you can track cost per wear nd how many times you’ve worn something since you’ve bought it. You can also make outfits :). There are many apps like this but I recommended the one I use ❤
I was inspired by you to do a no buy in September. I also decided to declutter at the same time, and spending time physically handling all the objects I have, and reflecting on how I feel about them and how useful they are (or aren't!) has naturally made me appreciate my stuff more. When I was decluttering, a lot of objects made me feel sad when I thought of donating them or throwing them away, and it was good to interrogate why I felt that way. Maybe it was because a shirt has a great texture and never gives me sensory issues, or a pair of jeans fits me comfortably when my weight fluctuates. I found some drawings I did in high school that are really nice and reminded me that I have a creative side, and I decided to frame them and hang them up instead of leaving them buried in my closet. It was good to remind myself of why I chose / created the stuff I have. It reminded me to enjoy that stuff for those reasons. Short answer: handle and reflect on the items you own, frequently. (Edited to add what someone else already mentioned: I unsubscribed from EVERY SINGLE THING that made me want to shop. Every email subscription, even every youtube ASMR channel that does makeup hauls, etc.)
In the past four years I have been selling on eBay tons of things I had, especially figurines, toys, action figures, memorabilia, everything from movies, books, cds, dvds. Everything that DIDN'T got sold, I put it on display on cardboard boxes outside where I work (cinema theater) with the sign TAKE EVERYTHING YOU WANT, ALL GIFTS!! ❤ And people and kids got everything!!!!! It was amazing ❤❤❤❤ Also some left messages like Thank you so much with pens and pencils on the cardboard boxes!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
I am loving your videos so much in the lead up to christmas! Ive genuinely stopped myself from buying unnecessary makeup so many times, I only got 1 makeup thing this year as a treat which is a cream blush that was on sale because ive never tried one! x
I go to college near my mom’s house (1.5 hr drive). And I love clothes but I also sometimes get impulsive bouts to shop or clean out my closet. Whenever I get those impulses I make a pile of clothes to “give away” and send them back to my mom’s house. If the next time I return I had not missed them, needed them, or even remembered them. They go. But it’s often that I come back and realized that I wanted the shirt that I had “gotten rid of” or was re-enthralled by a dress I had forgotten about.
I love this! bc i legit think so similar to you when it comes to fashion and being influenced. Im going to try this, “ i dont care!” Thank you for this strategy!
Thank you Shawna, I'm so glad I discovered your channel. I started a blog last month, that has so far meandered through far too many topics to actually build an audience. Today's video though has me soul-searching, and realizing I have a LOT to say in the conscious consumerism space. So thank you for such wonderful videos AND for inspiring an old AuDHDer like myself to settle into a single genre:)
Move. Nothing makes you realize just how much stuff you already own more than moving. Suddenly, you realize you have way too much of EVERYTHING, even silly little things like pens and post-it notes. I am now committed to using and using up everything I own, only buying new things when it is critical.
As The Minimal Mom says, you have to manage everything you own. I say it this way, you have to dust it!
@@singerjo5791 You are 100% correct! And my husband and I both HATE dusting, haha!
I've always prided myself on leaning towards minimalism, but I'm always humbled when I move and realize I own much more than I think I do
@@Roxannedan OMG YES! I’ve recently moved and I could not believe the amount of stuff I have. And also when I’m traveling. I feel like I need to pack a million things I use on a daily basis.
@ikonora I hear ya. I finally realized that when I'm traveling, I'm probably not going to need every skin care item I normally have in the rotation. Also, anywhere I go that is remotely inhabited is probably going to have a pharmacy or grocery store that sells all of life's necessities if I no-kidding find I NEED something. I probably don't need to pack like I'm going on an arctic expedition, haha!
I bring a mug to my mom, and take one of hers. Then when I’m bored I go back and switch it out again 😂 it’s so fun to meet the old mugs again
That sounds so fun!
I'm totally stealing this idea
@@veggiezz that's so cute!
What a wonderful idea!
🩷🤗
I love caring for my stuff, I clean my tools and utensils, my surfaces, I polish my furniture, I condition my leather items, I keep my clothes clean and neat, I dusty books and have them in order of topis. I water my plants and I focus on just watering. For me, that is the best way to appreciate my stuff. Also I am a sensory type so when I touch something I make a bond with it. So I am touching my stuff regularly - like I take books out of the shelves, flip through them or I straighten my linen on the bed with my fingers and such. Helps me to be present too. Kinda like a small meditation - also doing laundry is no longer a huge chore for me, it is a way to care for and love my clothes...
@@romanawilhelminacrane9690 I love this comment and this video bc we tend to only talk about interacting with our stuff in terms of acquiring it or getting rid of it. But I also tend to bond with my stuff. Very helpful.
I reorganise my yarn stash quite often and think about what I want to make with them - especially great at times when I feel like I want to buy new yarn
@@AerynK yes, I am learnig to slow down 🙂 and absolutely agree caring is more enjoyable than buying
I do the same thing. I touch my items all day long but it takes slowing down to APPRECIATE the touch. Like I can carry my purse around all day but I need to slow down and watch my hands touch the fabric to appreciate it
@@romanawilhelminacrane9690 sounds like a lovely meditative practice, really love this!
The best thing is to turn off UA-cam, and stop consuming any content about the stuff. I watch thinking I'm going to get inspiration for how to use my stuff, but more likely/often, I just get influenced to buy more. So just turning it all off is the most helpful thing for me.
Yes, particularly unsubscribing from pretty much all marketing emails. It took me so long to realize that being told about every sale does *nothing* to help me save money, it only cues me to spend money I didn't plan on spending at all by making me less happy with what I already have. Which shouldn't be a big mystery...companies wouldn't send emails notifying customers of sales if it didn't make them more money in the end.
I just watch content like Shawna’s because I can’t get myself off UA-cam 😭
Sorry that was meant to be a general comment 😂
You are so right!! I‘m constantly on and off TikTok because I try to look for outfit inspirations thinking it will help me, but almost every time after a few days/weeks being back on those apps, I notice that I tend to buy things I wouldn’t have bought if I weren’t on this app or at least I tend to want more things instead of it helping me to appreciate/use/wear what I already have!
I've thought about this kind of thing recently too. For anyone who is trying to get out of a habit like overspending or a shopping addiction, social media is poison. It doesn't matter if you're watching deinfluencing videos either, because more than likely those videos are going to show you specific products anyway, and if you are primed to be interested in those items, then the deinfluencing language might not speak louder than the interest. It's actually better to isolate yourself from the temptations - like an alcoholic staying away from bars and restaurants to avoid being exposed to the same atmosphere that fostered their addiction.
Cleaning my shoes (including laundering the laces and re-lacing) makes me appreciate them all over. Conditioning my leather goods. Polishing my jewellery and re-organising it into its box. Lighting a scented candle makes me appreciate my space. Ironing and hanging up my clothes. Doing a gentle declutter or a seasonal refresh where I put away my most used or least used pieces (think mugs, clothes, accessories). Repotting my plants
totally agree with this! Taking care of our stuff can be such a great way to appreciate our things
Happy to hear someone else washes shoelaces!
I enjoy wearing the same outfits. My problem is actually buying the right pieces that will become my favourites. If that makes sense.
I am right there with you! I have 5 of the same pants because I rarely find things that fit my legs well and make me feel comfortable but I also have many unused pants that just didn't work out that I thought would fit me.
@@zekmorz I just don’t ever buy clothes that I don’t absolutely LOVE anymore. It isn’t enough for me to like it. If I don’t LOVE it, I don’t buy it. (I do thrift most of my clothes.) I am also super picky about fabrics that feel good against my skin. If things are even the slightest bit uncomfortable, I don’t end up wearing it.
That happens to me a lot. I try to be more conscious but I have a hard time finding good quality pieces that I absolutely love and that fit well. (Not everything can be tailored)
Sell them on posh mark to buy the ones you like and in the future don't buy if there is something you hate @@car5522
i feel like a lot of people's discontentment with their stuff comes from them not knowing themselves. if you do some self-reflection, if you spend some time with yourself and your thoughts and try to figure out what it is that you REALLY LIKE, it becomes easier to appreciate the things that you already own. for me, this has always been a pretty obvious thing bc i belong to a variety of subcultures whose lifestyles and fashion have all become a part of who i am as a person. but you don't have to be a freak of any kind to do this: just sit with yourself and reflect upon what things really draw you in, what makes you happy and what you feel like is a part of you. you don't find yourself IN stuff; you can find stuff that go together with who you are.
this is really great point and I'm so glad that you brought it up
Exactly! And also just realizing that there's no reason to follow trends, especially with how short-lived they are these days. I think people often buy things that they think are trendy even if they clash with their own personal taste or preferences. My advice is to pay attention to the things you tend to gravitate towards and use the most, that will give you a pretty good idea of what you really do like.
what about liking art and paintings but not knowing how to draw? art has always made me happy and ive wanted to decorate my room w artpieces but i dont have talent in art so it feels fake?
Great comment! ❤
I bought items that fit well and were good quality thinking it would fit my ideal self. Now I know myself better I don't buy things if I'm unsure about it. Ie the color or fit or it doesn't feel like me.
"Use it up, wear it out, make do or do without."
Love this. So true and very wise. 👌😁❤️
What you said, isn't that common sense? I think she used too many words to describe what you said. She making this subject way too complicated
@@nildabridgeman8104 many people need more examples to relate to. I love that maxim which was popular in the Great Depression (1930s) and has been revived more recently in the frugality space and elsewhere.
@@karenrobertson1944 modern young women use far too many words for something that's simple. Young women are doing themselves a disservice by overcomplicating things. This is part of why men & women can't get along. Too much complications
@@nildabridgeman8104 The video has almost 100k views in less than two months, so the message must resonate with quite a few people.
What makes me appreciate what I have is the decreasing quality in clothing in general - always more polyester clothing, even in brands like Reformation. I have a bolero shrug with lace that I bought in 2005, that is still in excellent condition. I used to declutter a lot, but now I more mindful of what I am decluttering, knowing that I might not be able to find the same quality.
Appreciating what I have with ADHD can be tricky, because if something isn't in front of me, I forget it exists at all. Im the person who ends up buying multiple of the same/similar thing because I forget that I already had one! A few practices I have found helpful to put my clothes away every week with care and gratitude for each piece. It's kind of like doing a mental inventory of all the cute garments I own, (and there's a 100% chance that they needed to be picked up from the chair and the floor anyway). And then when I think about shopping, I remind myself that anything new is one more thing that I have to store and clean and organize.... and I have already maxed out my limited executive function.
Maybe you can use the fact that you forget what you own to your advantage in this case: start with the base assumption that you already have pretty much all the clothes you could need, and go “shopping” in your own closet. This is what I do with all the stuff I have stuffed away in the basement or attic. It’s fun discovering something you forgot you had
I have the same issue as an AuDHD person. I tend to buy many of the same thing, put it in my closet, and then forget that I have it. All of a sudden I have 20 similar flannel shirts and 5 pair of cargo pants. I am working on doing a declutter and I am also packing away Summer stuff just so I have less clothing to contend with at a time. I don’t know if there is a good solution for the issues that I have besides having everything out and in front of my face.
@@faeriesmakI typed out a really long reply.. That just disappeared into nowhere 😑 I hate YT. I divided all my clothes seasonally w a list of all types of items I have and making sure I have items for all occasions and climates and cuts and colours I like. I decluttered things I didn't enjoy wearing or didn't make sense. I put them in different storage so didn't see my summer and fall items for months. It helped me buy less. I moved items to my main wardrobe w season change. It was almost like getting new clothes after not seeing your items for months. It also ensured I had to look at all my seasonal clothes so I know what I own better and new items feel less exciting. I did also try everything on as I was moving it over just to remind myself and get inspired.
@@CampingforCool41 yes! I moved recently, so I had to unpack and organize everything in the new space. In the process, I realized basically what you said- that I should just assume I already have enough clothes for the climates and occasions I will realistically encounter. I think operating under that assumption will significantly reduce my consumption (at least in the category of apparel). Of course I'll stilll face the occasional impulse to buy something just because I like it, but hopefully I won't be shopping under the false perception that I'm fulfilling a genuine need, when in reality, I already have a [insert necessary clothing item] This all sounds so goofy as I'm typing it out. 😂 But my working memory is actually that bad, and I think the self-awareness and recognition of how it affects my purchasing habits might be a real game changer
@@Sweet_Dee, great tips! AuDHD here, and can totally relate. I have stored backup bath, hair, and face products in the cabinets under my bathroom sinks. (I’m a shopaholic in recovery, so the days of purchasing a ton of “backups” have also come to an end.) Same principle applies to makeup, and clothing to a degree, though my autistic brain has sort of a mental catalogue of my massive wardrobe.
I’ll periodically go through my stuff, and realize that I have multiples of a similar product, like face cream, for example. I’m a bargain addict, so tended to go on these shopping sprees where I’d buy a handful of super marked-down items, not considering what was already in my supply.
I work at a thrift store. The amazing items we get donated are sometimes unbelievable. I can no longer justify shopping at a regular store when I know that I can get almost anything I need at around 80% off retail.
I mostly agree with this comment. Where I don't agree is the 80% portion. I live in Alberta, Canada. The thrift store prices here have skyrocketed. Many times it is cheaper to buy brand new than it is to thrift. And that brand new item, not only is approximately the same price, but doesn't have the wear and tear already built in.
@@elsiegreenwich1382 I live in Ireland and in my part of the country most charity shops are run like they're boutiques. They are so expensive I don't shop in them anymore. If I need, let's say, a new pair of jeans I can get them cheaper new. I've seen them priced at €20 second-hand, it's insane.
I work in a donation center run by a large church. The avalanche of stuff that comes in is shocking. People buy so much decorative stuff like curtains, bedspreads, rugs, placemats and then turn around and discard it, then buy some more.
Same goes for food and other things that you would probably forget about on a daily basis. Right know I am working on a little advent calender for a friend. But instead of buying a lot of stuff, I collect stuff I already have at home. Some teabags I don't drink anymore, a cute post card where I write down what I like about her...and yes maybe a hand cream but still...just be creative 🤗
That is an amazing idea!
this is such a wonderful idea
Thanks for sharing this great idea!
What a lovely idea!
yes, i’ve been giving gifts of things i already have bc there are lots i didn’t even use or open. i’ll be giving my siblings some travel sized items i have that i won’t be able to use. a lot of times most people have a lot
I’m tracking my wardrobe stats for the past 4 years. It’s eye opening, but even after all this time I notice new things that I didn’t pay attention to previously, for example, how long it actually takes to reach a decent number of wears.
My latest “rule” is that I only allow new wardrobe additions if I make them myself (knit, crochet or sew) or when something old reaches the 100th wear milestone. It doesn’t mean I’ll declutter the older piece if it’s still functional, but I’ll allow a new addition.
Any other takeaways or things you’ve noticed since you’ve been tracking your wears?? 4 years is amazing!! I’ve only been tracking for 2 years but two and a half months consistently so far. I’m excited about my wardrobe now just by tracking everyday. I love to plan my outfits the day before on the app and I wear my unworn pieces more now. What app do you use, I use OpenWardrobe
@@dinosaur___7209 I use the app OpenWardrobe in my phone
You caught me with your question and made me think hard. Apologies for the long answer, but I enjoyed summarizing it.
For context, I’m using the Stylebook app to track my wardrobe. Most of the learnings are linked to wear stats in one way or another. I believe that others can make such observations without an app, but visualization and hard numbers help me a lot. Of course, keep in mind it's relevant for my lifestyle and body.
- My pants usually give up around 100th wear due to chub rub. They’ll usually get holes before that, but I can extend their life by patching them up. That’s why I never invest in pants. It's not worth it.
- Wind and rainproof jackets, on the other hand, are something I’m splurging on as I easily get 200 wears out of them in a couple of years due to my love of hiking and spending time outdoors.
- For everyday clothes, 70th wear is typically when I get bored even with my most loved pieces. Now that I’m tracking those stats, I’ll break the boredom by trying to bring that number up.
- I'll ruin a white t-shirt in 15 wears or so. Needless to say, no white t-shirts for me anymore.
- All the clothes that I regret buying and getting rid of have at least one of these properties: made of synthetic materials and are worn close to the body, even slightly tight around the belly, shoes in which I can’t walk at least 5km, and fit issues (too short, small, etc.).
In the last year, I also started paying more attention to outfits, not just individual pieces. I learned that I unconsciously have an outfit formula for my main life activities: working from home in summer vs winter, leaving home in summer vs winter, and working out. If something doesn’t fit into these formulas, it's unlikely I’ll get a lot of wear out of it. The only exceptions are specialized pieces for some of the outdoorsy activities that I love.
As for the app, I use it's Packing function to create seasonal capsule wardrobes. It's really fun and minimizes my want for shopping. It's a great challenge to try to rearrange your capsules and maximize outfit combinations. And when I am shopping, I'll add the piece to the app and play around with new outfits to see if it even fits in within my existing wardrobe.
Hope this helps❤
@@Craftynomadreads omg thank you sooo much for sharing!!
Wow this is amazing. Having this kind of knowledge about what you use and love the most and what items last and are worth investing in....very cool!
I am a dialysis patient. I have a line in my chest that needs to be accessed every second day. That meant that I had to both find clothes to hide the line (think lots of high neck turtleneck thingies) to hide it when I am out, and then a collection of v necks or button downs so that I can attach myself to the machine, Because I have two specific 'tops' I can wear in order to live and not broadcast my illness in a pretty disturbing way to the general population, every time iI choose to wear what I NEED to wear on that day, I am grateful for my careful choices for my sort of strange beautiful life !!!! Have to mention how much I admire and respect your content!!! You're such a thoughtful voice in this seemingly thoughtless world :)
@@christynfitzsimmons5515 wow, this was so vulnerable and heartfelt. Truly touching that you spoke on something that strongly impacts your life, that most don’t even think about. Bless you 💛
@@christynfitzsimmons5515 getting dressed is something to think about and organize for our unique life...
@francescachecchin6191 strength to you fellow warrior 💙
this was so lovely to read
@@chesshaterrr wow :) Blushing. Thank you friend
This is probably a weird twist on appreciating your stuffs. I had donated LOTS of clothes under the minimalist influence about a year ago, seeing them as the culprit for the mess in my life. Now that I see that I was actually the problem, I regretted donating some of them. We are not rich and our resources are limited. I gave up many good clothes from better days (I don’t know what had gotten into me at the time 😂feel that I must have been possessed) and it’s not like I can get similar quality ones easily.
Those are the clothes that have been with me for many years. It’s almost painful to think that I didn’t appreciate them enough and just gave them away like that for the responsibility I myself refused to take at the time. Well, at least it’s a donation. Nothing ends up in the trash (at least I hope).
Be careful about trends you see online. The influences could be bigger than you realize. If you’re doing good, you’re probably safer. But if you’re trying to improve yourself and are subject to change like I did a year ago, please BE ULTRA CAREFUL! Random people on the internet don’t always have everything figured out. Their advice is not tailored to you. You may regret what you have done under those influences after a while.
Be wise and mindful ❤
Unfortunately, you can be sure that a lot of it ended up in the trash… 🙈
I can REALLY RELATE to your comment, although my situation could be for a different reason than many others who may watch this channel, or others similar.
I’ve been dealing with a very difficult time in my life lately. I’m 50 years old right now, and at the age of 47, for the first time in my life, I experienced what I guess must be depression, due to a serious endocrine condition. Although I have no reason to feel sad, suddenly I found myself unable to find ANY joy or even contentment in ANYTHING in my life, even things that I’ve always loved with passion. Just ZERO motivation, and feeling like a completely different person. I guess apathy is the best way for me to express this feeling. Not to ramble on about myself, but this has been almost catastrophic mentally & emotionally.
So, in my quest to figure this out, I’ve been willing to try ANYTHING to see if I can pinpoint what is wrong with me…
So- that was one step that I thought could help- MAYBE, just maybe, so called “minimalism” was the answer to my problem…
Ummmm…. Not so much. I ended up doing the EXACT same thing that you described! Giving away things that I’d actually liked, or even loved, but thought represented something that was somehow negative; and the end result would be an immediate relief of my difficulties…
Yeah, that’s NOT what happened. Unfortunately. I’m also not in a financial position to just go replace everything that I voluntarily gave away. I’m frustrated that I allowed myself to manipulate my brain into thinking that would actually solve this problem.
I appreciate your balanced view on fast fashion. I bought a skirt 4 yrs ago from H&M that I have used probably around 500 times. It is one my most treasured items in my closet. ❤️
As a tall plus sized person fast fashion is pretty much the only way I can clothe myself. Regular fashion and sustainable brands cater to standard body shapes only, I've found. Because finding clothes that fit is soooo hard I wear them until they're rags even when they're fast fashion which makes me feel less guilty about the disposable aspect.
I like being crafty, so altering clothing that I already have, patching up worn clothes so I can wear them again, or adding embroidery are all fun ways to make something feel new and special. I also have quite a few stickers collected that i haven’t used- putting new stickers on something can make it feel fresh and fun. Instead of getting new phone cases, I cover mine in stickers and then peel off old faded stickers and put new ones on every few months.
As a doll collector, putting dolls I purchase on display in my room can help me to appreciate what I have
Having a gorgeous display of the dolls I own reminds me that while a new purchase can be great, I shouldn’t forget about all the dolls I own and love already.
I think with collectible items having items on display you can appreciate can bring way more value than having items in storage where it’s easy to forget about them.
@sungexpression9093 Some time ago, Super Dacob made a video about about that as a healing process from buying too many things, in his case luxury fashion. Putting them on display at home to counter the usual cycle of seeing the item on display at the luxury fashion store, bringing it home and leaving it in its box and protection bag.
@@jochenkraus7016 love that!
I agree with this. If you have collectibles that you don't want to display, then why do you have them? I used to have a lot of Swarovski figurines, and at first I loved to display them. But they require more work than most collections, because they need good lighting. After I moved, I had plans to get a dedicated cabinet with lighting for them. But as time went by, I didn't buy the cabinet. After a while, I realized that I didn't love them enough anymore to display them. So I started selling them. While it wasn't easy to let them go, at least I know they aren't taking up space and gathering dust. And while I enjoyed them, their time has passed.
@@dinosaur___7209 Doll collector here also. When your favorite blouse wears out it will usually wear out at neckline, underarms and cuffs. This leaves a lot of good fabric left to make a ''new" outfit for a doll.
And somebody else is going to appreciate them... so good... @@Sylvelourie
I did something some might call “risky” and bought a refurbished MacBook. Little did I know, it was a 2017 model and not long after purchasing it the battery performance dropped. I am currently getting a new battery for the device since there is nothing else wrong with it. At first, I thought I made a dumb purchase, but in reality, I’m making a perfectly fine piece of technology last even longer. I’m so excited to get it back and see how much longer I can make it last! ☺️
This is funny. I have a 2012, original battery. I haven't noticed.
This channel is so important for me because I am trying to heal from a shopping/spending addiction. Also because I am hopefully moving next year, this message is important because my goal until then is to use up all my stuff and you inspire me to do that.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey and I'm wishing you the best 💕
Crocheter here! I do a similar thing with my crochet projects to the outfit photos. Craft communities love to encourage random buying of craft supplies without a distinct project, but I already have a ton of supplies. I sort my yarn together by color schemes so that I know what I can pair together. I keep project inspiration on my phone so that I am motivated to use the supplies instead of just hoarding them.
Also, crafters often start projects that seem cute but that they won't actually use. I specifically try to create projects I know will have a purpose. For example, I just don't prefer to wear crochet, so I don't crochet clothes. I love blanket making, and so I create color schemes that will match the furniture I already have at home. I do have yarns that just don't match my style as much, but these yarns are great for making baby blankets or gift for friends whose style the colors do match!
thank you so much for sharing your perspective here!
As far as I've seen on YT Yarn collections tend to be as big as several storage tubs and sometimes has its own dedicated shelving space. Which is sometimes understandable since some projects do require that much but I've seen many that just overbuy without having an actual plan to use it up and there are those who consider collecting yarn a hobby and idk about that...
I personally keep any collection of mine limited especially newer interests but if you asked me about my art supplies, I've been working on a watercolor set for a while and it's staying here so much that I've taken a break from it 😂😭
Using what we already have is ALWAYS the most sustainable thing to do. I was given a lot of beauty products and I use them up one by one. I’ve also learned to shop way less and only buy clothes and shoes that work for me, whether they’re in fashion or not. What also helps is being a 40 something 😂 The pressure of having to fit in is gone. Knowing who you are and what you truly love and use comes with age (for me at least). The pressure to keep up with trends is gone too and that’s so freeing! ❤
Visible mending/ darning: the more I fix a piece of clothing visibly with fun colours, the more I appreciate it. Take care of my leather shoes/ bags regularly (including simple repairs).
Yes! The freedom I have felt for finally just wearing what I want for the last ten years has been almost unmatched. I realized a while ago I like to wear very basic, very simple, and very similar outfits. I like to be comfortable while I chase after kids and do all the things. Do I have a few people I follow for inspiration on the VERY few special occasions? Yes. But they reuse the same pieces constantly, they are very tailored to my tastes and are for sure not the majority. I always say I am minimal gothic mom. I am always in black, in my big old black boots, and have my staples of black jeans or leggings, and a simple black t shirt or tank top with a black cardigan over. That’s it. And it’s so nice to not care about being trendy, or have to mentally plan what I am going to put together because I already know what I have and love
I am you but without the kids x)
Black is such a great go to color cause it looks bold and beautiful but I'm not stressed about if I spill coffee or sauce on it! I don't have kids but I've worked with kids a lot and wearing black is great for spontaneous fingerpainting or whatever may come
@@cn7228 I think it’s pretty bold too! I am a redhead and very pale, so it’s for sure a statement for me.
And yes! With kids I get so many spills, random markers, and slight rips that are easily mended without really being noticed because everything is black.
We buy out of a need to fill a void, as well; like loneliness. We also buy things for the lifestyle we hope to have, like buying formal wear or dress up clothes for all the exciting parties and events that we don't even go to, but imagine that we will. For many years, I had a very limited wardrobe and when I did get invited out, I had to scrounge for something to wear. I had one winter coat which wasn't a dressy coat. The very first thing I bought myself; when I had the money; was a black wool blend coat.
100% relatable.
I absolutely love my wardrobe right now! TBH, im excited about the process of wearing everything until it's no longer wearable. Also, like you, im digitally decluttering my life. I watched a dollar tree haul yesterday. I felt the NEED to go to the dollar tree, even though I've only been there one time! I didn't go.
I'm the same way. I love wearing the same things over and over with only a little variation, and I love the idea of wearing something until it's literally falling apart. I don't like buying new clothes unless I have an overt need for them, and even then I always always always thrift.
@@tinywalnut6337 im learning how much i enjoy "preloved"
I was given the idea to become a art teacher and charge people $50 like a job.
They usually say also recommend
-Volunteer to help community
-Job
-other great ideas
I DO wear most things until they are trash. Once it's stained or ripped it's "play clothes" and I keep wearing it for gardening, cleaning, and other types of work where I'm going to get dirty.
What really helped me to reduce my consumption of things I didn't need, was the fact that I noticed, that none of the stuff will actually make me happy, or solve my inner longing for a deep connection. I also noticed how more stuff, becomes a burden, when you have to organize it and search for things longer, cause there is just so much of all of it. My situation changed, now I really think longer if I will buy something new. I am still trying to reduce the things I already have, I still feel the impact (how much I have) due to years of shopping addiction. Each reduction or using up of something improves my well being.
What also really helps me, are the videos in things, I watch them, and at the end I don't want to get anything, also with trends, if everyone has it- I don't want it anymore, since it becomes boring in a way, also when I see how bad the quality often is, and that things are often a form of plastic and it's not great for the environment nor my body/skin, it is also a turn off for me. What I also do is, I try to find ways to implement what I already have or style and combine it in a different way, it keeps me creative. 😊
I also have a huge pile of clothes left over from years of shopping addiction. It's confronting!
I am plant crazy n when I'm tempted to buy a new plant/feel bored of the ones I have I move my plants around the house to new homes. It changes the look of the space n makes the plant look new. I also take cuttings making new baby plants which is so exciting and satisfying. I have a private group of 4 planty people where we share the progress of our plants.
I've grown so attached to some I've had for 3+ years, it brings so much more joy looking at my 4 foot tall monstera that i got when it was 15cm tall rather than a side table with 6 random ornaments.
I enjoy not only using the things I habe, but creating a story with them, especially with bigger things, like furniture. I have a desk which my grandfather made for me more than 10 years ago. It‘s quite basic but it was with me during my years of teacher‘s training and then the first years of working full time. I remember the hardships of this time and also the fun I had. I still love it and would never change it for a modern piece.
This is so important! I love looking at my closets/items and knowing that there is a story to it - found it in a charity shop while on a trip, a desk I have found next to a dumpster and revamped it(lol), a t-shirt I had since high school and think about the times when I first got it and wore it a lot. feels much nicer than looking at my stuff knowing it's just all new stuff from shein, Ikea
Sometimes I put my makeup back in it’s original package it came in just to feel the dopamine hit from opening up a ‘new’ package of makeup without actually buying something new
I used to do the same with my toys as a kid growing up. I realized that I loved the feeling of taking it out the box so sometimes I would put my Barbie back in the box from the store so I could feel like it was new :)
@@laurenj432 I've been doing the same thing lately, it's helping a lot with curbing the want of new things and the longing
@@laurenj432 With makeup, I also keep them in the original box. It keeps them pretty & new.
I appreciate my clothes by actually wearing them often!! It sounds stupid, but it’s true. When I was declutterring, I thought “Do I want to wear this once a week?” And only kept and now wear that stuff.
this is real the clothes i have collected i am very proud of and enjoy i wear them often
I am a maker. Fully finishing objects (for knitting, weaving in ends; for cross stitch, displaying it somehow) and then using or displaying them definitely helps. At the beginning, it felt very kids’ art on a fridge, but it has definitely helped my mood. Over the years, I have definitely got comments. But every time I see it, I think, I made that. Because I made it, I don’t mind hand washing it, etc. I started wearing shawls because of this.
All of this doesn’t stop me from buying more hobby stuff. For that one, shop your stash first, and you can make different decisions from the pattern based on what you have.
I love how you point out that using and being happy with what you have greatly outweighs any efforts to consume more things (that you don't need) in a more sustainable way. Firstly, companies are greenwashing left and right and trying to market themselves as "sustainable" all while continuing to do so much to the contrary. Truly sustainable options are often high priced, as you mentioned.
I also think that buying second hand isn't at all what it used to be with thrifting becoming somewhat "trendy" and certainly more expensive. At the root of it, the thrifting market really is fed by overconsumption...and also feeds overconsumption. People feel justified in getting rid of perfectly good things to make space to buy new ones because they're "donating" them or selling them second hand. It all ends up being waste sooner or later, usually sooner. My advice for donating is to give directly to a local non-profit organization who can and will actually use those donations to help those in need.
👋🏻 crafter, here! yarn-addicts like to say "shop your stash" to encourage one to enjoy/use what one already has.
I have a huge shelf/case that is full of unused yarn, and a spreadsheet outlining all the money I spent on that unused yarn. Confronting these directly helps me to not buy more.
Unfortunately, it did not help prevent me doing the exact same thing with subsequent hobbies, overbuying. But I do think I'm getting better with each hobby/phase as far as spending less and using more.
this is a really cool strategy, I'm happy to hear that it works well for you!
Progress!
i love yarn and the way that i go about it is i go to goodwill and i have the goodwill bins near my house i have found bags and boxes of yarn that a lot of it is in perfect or untouched condition and i buy it for maybe a dollar. reusing the art materials instead of buying brand new
For me my Christian faith helps me a lot. Whenever I feel tempted to buy new things I recite the Bible verse where Jesus says: "Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions" or something similar depending on which translation you're reading. It also helps to remember that everything I have is a blessing or a gift from God and none of it is truly mine. It helps me appreciate everything God has given me and it helps motivate me to be a better steward of the blessings I've been given. I've learned that when I have too much stuff I feel like I'm suffocating but I'm also a maximalist artist so I have to strike a balance. Back the the whole faith aspect it helps to remember that all of these objects as pretty and awesome as they are mean absolutely nothing in the long run and the intangible is what's truly important. It's also important to note that the resources we have on this earth are enjoyed best when shared generously so I don't really have any intention to hoard resources or objects anymore. Overconsumption doesn't make sense when you view the world through a biblically influenced lens.
Yes! I think a lot of Christians forget about this. Overconsumption is very against Jesus’s teaching.
"we can't shop our way out of the climate crisis" ok I have CHILLS
yeah we wont be alive to shop at that point😂
There is no climate crisis.
@@theclumsyprepper Do you always reply to month-old comments on UA-cam videos to be a little contrarian, or am I just special?
@@streichedelic How is stating a fact contrarian? Just because you don't like it doesn't make it any less true.
@@streichedelicI was actually going to make the EXACT same comment, and I was in no way trying to be contrarian. Maybe it’s just me, but I also don’t always notice how old specific comments are when I make a reply. Isn’t that the point of online social discourse?
There ARE other perspectives to the supposed “climate crisis” view. You might be surprised to find out that the VAST MAJORITY of actual meteorological scientists of any credibility DO NOT subscribe to the current climate change hysteria trend. It’s just not backed by any real, solid evidence, unless you are solely relying on model-based research. Of course, this is a matter of debate, but I personally do not think that this sector of the scientific community has proven itself to be a reliable source, especially in the realm of “climate science.”
That said, there ARE a lot of so-called “environmental” topics that I personally think are worth exploring & talking about; some examples that I consider important are overconsumption, overfishing, ocean pollution (this could encompass several areas of concern, such as trash, but one area that really concerns me is noise pollution, especially from wind farms, which produce epic levels of noise & vibrational disturbances which negatively impact several different types of species on a huge spectrum) safety of the food & water supply in the US, overuse of unhealthy pharmaceuticals… there is a LONG LIST.
The climate is ALWAYS changing, I mean, the farther away we get from the equator, the more drastic the changes are; they’re called seasons. We may want to believe that there have been drastic changes, because of the enormous amounts of time, money & media attention invested in these changes, the actual data doesn’t support the claims. Hurricanes & tornadoes are NOT more severe or even more frequent today than they were in the past. They may SEEM worse, because of the attention that they garner, but they are not statistically more severe than they’ve been in the past. Now, the caveat to that statement is that they likely DO affect more people now than they ever have in the past, because of the population growth in the regions most likely to experience those types of weather disturbances. And, if we’re being honest, OF COURSE we notice them more & actually SEE their impact on a regular basis, because of the rise of social media & video capable cell phones that turn everyone into amateur reporters.
I’m not in any way trying to antagonize anyone for having different beliefs. In fact, I really DO have a great deal of compassion for those of you who live in fear of what may be coming in the future, as far as the climate is concerned. I hope that you realize that I’m very sincere when I say that I hope you take some time to do some unbiased research from sources with views opposing your own, and that you do this with an open mind. I’m in no way trying to be condescending, because an ENORMOUS amount of resources have been devoted towards facilitating this “climate crisis” narrative. There are SO MANY different facets to the reasons why, but the bottom line is that it’s been a very lucrative business model. But, unfortunately, it’s done a LOT of damage; not only in regards to the capture of scientific research by these ideologically motivated campaigns, which is harmful in SO MANY different ways, but even more importantly, this agenda of purposely misleading the people into believing that their very lives are in danger is just beyond any kind of moral standards.
If you start to look at these issues from a cost analysis perspective, I think that it might ease your fears. No one in the elite billionaire class is doing anything to indicate that they personally harbor ANY of the fears they willingly project onto others for their own financial interests. One very simple way to illustrate this point is to look all around the world at oceanfront properties- there’s nothing to suggest that anyone BELIEVES that these are somehow a risky investment, suddenly about to topple into the sea! IF that were truly the case, you would see people putting these assets on the market immediately… AND people wouldn’t be able to insure them. Not only are these properties continually increasing in value at astronomical rates, but one of the fastest growing businesses is “high risk” insurance. Not because these companies feel that the property is going to disappear, but because they are more prone to risk of weather related damage because that’s what occurs next to the ocean.
Sorry, I’ve rambled on a long time. This is, of course, only one topic of many, many more that I truly hope we can ALL start to talk about without so much judgement with one another, because believe it or not- this EXTRA partisan, openly antagonistic, pro-censorship mindset is relatively new to our society. And, it’s SO incredibly divisive that we all need to recognize how dangerous & destructive it is, and we need to unite against it, once and for all.
Thank you for your videos. You changed my perspective.
I just love my stuff. I am a minimalist and everything I have, I've gotten for a reason. I don't have access. This really helps to appreciate every single item. The more I use something, the more I love it, because it becomes a "friend". How much do you appreciate a friend you had for 10 years? Right, TONS.
I make mooodboards to plan outfits and overall vibes each season. This gives me similar dopamine to shopping & fulfills the "play" elements I love as I unpack each season after being stored away for months. Spending an hour taking photos of outfit combos instead of an hour shopping is just as fun for me.
Love this idea 😊
There was a trend MANY years ago in the book community where if you had a large tbr you would wrap it up so you couldn't see what each book was anymore, and often times people would forget what was on their tbr when they pulled a book off to read and got excited to see the stuff they already owened again!
with my wardrobe, i didnt buy new clothes for three years just because it was so hard to get clothes that fit me where I lived, it made me really appreciate the pieces i bought before I left and allowed me to really run some pieces so ragged that no mending would save them lol
I never heard about that TBR trend when it was first around but I love the idea so much!!
I don't know if this is what people were doing, but I imagined actually gift wrapping the books so it was like opening up a new gift when you are ready to read something new 🥰 and that sounds lovely!
@@Sylvelourie that's exactly what they were doing!
Hey, that’s a great idea!
I agree with everything!!! This year I went on a low buy and I feel so much abundance in my wardrobe and in general with the things I own.
But I would argue, there’s habits that are more proactive and collective that we should focus on alongside. Protesting, community building, mutual aid have such big impact that is actively resisting the system and not just divesting from it.
Again, I advocate to do both but we have to collectivize the conversation
Became a terrible Old Navy employee when I got into KonMari and told customers not to buy stuff they didn't want... god, happy I'm no longer in retail.
As a reader, I find booktok and bookstagram to be extremely consumption-driven. As much as I'd love to follow fellow readers, I opted out. Results: I no longer have a pressing need to read THE book (=buy it) and instead of ordering dozens of books a year, I now buy maybe 5 well thought-out books a year. Saved my love of reading by taking the pressure off, highly recommended!
@nooraneo yes! I will also say using the Libby app, reading ebooks, and still having access to my highlights after the loan period ends has been a game changer. I don't feel any pull to accumulate physical books.
I make, thrift, and shop clearance almost exclusively. I've learned what fabrics and brands I prefer for longevity. I recently picked up a jumper dress at an Old Navy outlet for $20. It's made with a linen/rayon blend that would have cost me $65 in fabric alone to make. It needed some alteration, which I'm blessed to know how to do, and was totally worth it. I absolutely love it and will wear it for years. Sustainability can come in multiple forms.
This is an extremely important and digestable message! Thanks to you i unsubbed from some haul channels i was watching which really helped me embark on my no/low buy months. Additionally i do buy clothes from shein and i have had those items im my wardrobe for years, when i buy the right thing for my needs regardless of where its from it does live on my wardrobe long term.
Every year I write a small list of items that I really like using or having and am grateful for having them. I also write down what they are for and why I like them. Like a tiny award ceremony for things I own. Most of the time those objects are not new and they get on the list every year. I like to think of it as a fun way to understand what I need in life and a chance to be grateful for them.
This ❤ over and over I tell the universe I love having good cast iron skillets, sewing machines that are vintage work horses, a nice box of fabric scraps for mending, books of favorite stories....so many things in life to be happy about.
I realized when i started staying on top of my laundry that I actually did have stuff to wear lol also getting organized helped because i forget i have stuff all the time
Funny I was watching this while mending a shirt I took from my dad in high school lol. I am now 34. This is how I appreciate my things. I fix them. Loved the video 💚
@ENUFbyMNT I can so relate! Lol. I started listening to this video as I was getting ready for my morning walk and realized that the hoodie that I pulled out of the closet is one that my son left here when he moved out to go to university. I don't really remember what year that was, but he is 45 years old now, so this hoodie is pretty old now. I wear it almost every day.
@@cathyphillips679 Oh wow I love this story so much! Nothing better than a well worn piece of clothing from a loved one. Thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad I sell my stuff myself and own shirts that are 10 years old. But I can still be better. I failed at a no-buy, that made it clear to me that I need to pay even closer attention to my habits, it’s like you said, if you have a problem with shopping as a coping strategy then appreciating your stuff won’t solve the problem.
I also fluctuate in my weight a lot, now I’m on my way down but there’s a lot of stuff I own that doesn’t yet fit or I needed new because my body has changed. It’s a luxury to have the same size for years. 😂
Besides that I’m very happy my hobby is sewing since that makes thrifting so much more attainable even though I’m very tall for a girl (6’).
Sometimes, I'll DIY, or add embellishments to my clothing and other objects, when I find myself getting bored with my stuff.
That helps me to appreciate it more, as it's something unique that I added my creativity to, that nobody else owns.
Love your suggestion to go to your closet and create new outfits - when u feel bored or want to shop! Will try that this week.
I started recently making sure I use and finish whatever that I have. For example, body lotions! Now, I have a single body lotion, instead of 3. And everything week, I pick one day and I "clean-out" and "donate" what I don't want. To say the least, I'm surprised on how much I have that I don't use. It's not that I am trying to be a minimalist, it's just that I'm trying not be some who wastes stuff and is mindful of being and living REALISTICALLY in harmony with myself and the world. Overconsumption makes us forget what we need and what we want. It makes us also forget what's really valuable and what isn't.
I lost a lot of weight 4 years ago had to size down quickly, but not wanting to spend a ton, I started brining my clothes to consignment stores and buying second hand myself. I did get rid of a lot of my clothes but so many I had really loved and just put away in a box. Now I wear them again but have gotten creative. Some of the shirts fit more like tunics so I’ve implemented belts and am going to learn to sew! I was a big over-consumer of fashion in my 20’s but I did find many quality items. They just don’t make them like they used to lol but for real, my 10-15 year old clothes look, feel, and wear better than anything I can find now in stores I can afford. So I’m getting creative and loving fashion again! Plus hunting down a cool, interesting item in my local consignment store has been a fun activity when I truly needed something.
Keeping my things neat/orderly and making an inventory of what I have (in areas where I’ve overspent) has really helped me appreciate what I have and to resist buying things. It took more than a day to sort and organize my loose art paper, but it was really worth it to know what I had going on and to remind myself of some things I had forgotten about.
I also did a notebook round up and realized it will be at least three years before I will “need” anything like that. They’re sorted and all together. When I finish one I pick another in a different size and paper type and I enjoy the change.
Since the beginning of the year- I’ve been working in selling items I haven’t used enough or feel lukewarm about for whatever reason. It’s taken a while, but I reached my goal last week! I feel lighter. I worried I’d feel regret, but I haven’t at all. I might reassess in a couple of weeks and keep going😂. I still have plenty plenty, but it almost feels easier to use my things when I have a more reasonable amount.
What you said at 21:45 about how you’re typically not influenced to buy things when you’re reading - Aldous Huxley said the same thing back in the 1930s with Brave New World: “Every man, woman and child compelled to consume so much a year. In the interests of industry (…) You can’t consume much if you sit still and read books.” (P 42 in the Vintage edition). The writing is dated, but I think you’d be heartened to read it and see how some of the most influential writers of the 20th century had strong views on our consumerist habits too. Thank you for this well-argued video
I would love to see a video series where your subscribers can send you things that they need talking out of and you would do that for us in a video. I think it would be extremely helpful for those of us who are trying to overcome unhealthy and irrational shopping behaviors.
this is indeed already a series and I asked this afternoon for more entries for a round 3 if you're interested!
I love beautiful tags or silly pamphlets (gachapon or from gardens) and i place it on my journal they call it junk journaling. As i am an artist myself i like appreciating the little details people make and its very nice seeing it all collaged together!
Amazing message! I bought 2 pairs of jeans off temu 2 years ago and those are still the only jeans I wear. Not buying any clothes for 1 year definitely saved me a lot of money and allowed me to direct energy onto more important things.
I love having things around ke that are meaningful to me amd have memories of other people. I agree that looking after what you have and that older things are better quality so I am reluctant to get rid of them for newer inferior versions so I use what I have
Oohh yes!! I'm not months behind watching!!! I look forward to your videos!! You open my eyes and get me asking the right questions before buying. I went into Kohls to shop for my son clothes and needed 1 tablecloth...I left with only with his clothes and my tablecloth and the fall decor was screaming at me!!
Hi , im from a Jamaica and i have never bought items i never needed and i never bought anything over 100 usd. the west always try to make it seems as if having an expensive item and having many things is the only way to be happy
This may be a hot take, but to enjoy what I have, I started approaching things with the intent of destroying them. My no.1 reason for buying new stuff was this weird pedestal for the old stuff. What if I break this porcelain cup. What if I waste this cleaning product, the instructions are kinda complicated... better buy a simpler version. My kitchen is so messy after cooking...well, takeout is an option.... Jeans get worn down, sweaters get covered in rolls of wool...
I didn't want to admit the decay, nor to be extra careful with my stuff (that's just another form of stuff slavery. I never wanted to be the person running after family members and guests with wet wipes or getting into arguments about dusting. I don't want to spend my life thinking about protecting inanimate objects, sometimes at the expense of good mood, mine and others').
So, my method is, the kitchen must be destroyed. The notebook must be filled with crossed-out messy lines. The cleaning agent must be wasted. That's the necessary first step to start using my stuff. I need to throw it off its pedestal. This boost of destructive chaotic fun is an antidote to boredom, too. I feel like a kid playing in the woods, with zero care for dirty clothes but all the excitement of just holding, using (and sometimes smashing) stuff.
Turns out, using things once saves a lot of money compared to using them never.
I want you to know that I got a major dopamine rush thinking about... my parents' mugs that they collected in the seventies and eighties, beautiful earthenware, that I've been saving for no good reason. For a home I don't own yet. They were going to get rid of that beautiful set but I said, "Girl. This is my aesthetic." And it so is. And I have a beautiful glass mug that I use on the regular, but I'd like to have more than one mug in rotation. So this weekend, I will be digging a mug out of the set that my parents gave me, and adding one to the cabinet. Now I'll have two mugs that are me-sized and perfect for my chai lattes.
Shawna, I have been binge watching your videos for the last 2 days and I have to say that it's so refreshing hearing the opinion about over consumption. I'm currently in Japan having a break from home and all it's problems trying to find some kind of mental peace and a life path to follow. I'm tired of looking for external validation, that the only source of "happiness" is buying things. I have to say that I have never feel more empty than when I spend $200, $300 or more USD on things I don't need. I feel so empty looking at all these shinny stuff and feeling emptier than ever. You, other youtube channels and books are pulling me out of these "consumerism trap" that is only rooting our brains and making us more sick. Thank you for your content! Now more than ever I need it!!! :D
Thank you, Shawna! Another relevant video for me!🎉
so glad to hear it Katie!
Every week I have a new concept for my mani, often to hit a seasonal theme and often swatched weeks in advance. The rule is to use as many polishes as possible. And for clothes I like to put together 2 weeks of outfits for work based on the weather forecast. Honestly just swatching or merchandising my stuff gives me so much and it lets me use more of what I have in depth better over time.
Lately I’ve been mixing in yarn textures to get different looks out of my shawls. I also enjoy making simple knits like loose wool beanies made of sock yarn. It makes for a light and soft fabric. Babies are always being born so I enjoy using up older yet artisanal yarn that needs a function to be truly appreciated.
In my house we trade stuff, so we have some novelty. We tell stories about our things, like how many places a suitcase has been, which events were seen by certain outfits. I see stuff lasting as an accomplishment.
I've been using CBT coping methods to try and prevent buying things. For me, I'm just looking for the hit of happiness I get from buying things. The worse my life feels, the more I buy. I hate that fact about myself. I feel stupid, but somehow, nothing seems to change.
It's all by design. Capitalism works best when we feel awful about ourselves.
Going cruelty free with makeup curbed my makeup buying overnight. Not just the brand has to be CF but it's parent company ie no Nyx because its parent company isnt CF and to me kt feels like them double dipping - having a CF subbrand for the kudos but not really caring.
When i lost weight (half my bodyweight) the way o went OFF on buying clothes. But now...i went comfy and never went back. Nobody is looking at me and I can glam it up when needed but otherwise the bogwitch dont care
I’ve been doing lots of rotation. For example my closet, when I put the laundry away it all goes to the back so the clothes I didn’t wear that week come to the front. Then I can see which items I’m avoiding wearing and they look at me every morning until I wear them. Been doing a lot of layering so then I can get through multiple clothes I’ve been avoiding in one go.
Fixing things! I fixed up an old guitar and I thought I would try to sell it once it was fixed but now I want to play it.
Rotate where things are stored. I moved the hairbrush and perfume to be with the makeup stuff and that made room for my jewelry to go on my dresser. This gives a fresh feeling to the same old products lol.
Borrow books from public library or get books for free from the little library instead of shopping. Spending time to make sure I’m reading and have discovered a love for non-fiction!
Love your work Shawna!
I wear my unique and fancy jewellery everyday. That alone is appreciation. But it makes me feel more like myself in any outfit, so it takes the pressure off the clothing to be expressive.
My biggest issue is fomo for the categories I do love the most, things I have high hopes to appreciate, but do not need to expand my collection at this point in time
Love this message! There is obviously consumption content but I have also become very wary of minimalist wardrobe and capsule wardrobe content/groups as I don’t feel it encourages me to use my stuff. The idea that I need to be able to document a set number of items and make nice neat (perfect) outfits has the opposite effect on me. I do respect and understand it helps others but for me the message to use what I have is much more effective. I still declutter for breathing room and to release items that no longer suit me but I don’t try to get down to a small number of items. I keep what I still like and what still suits my lifestyle. To keep myself from buying more I may set a limit so I don’t buy more but I don’t give myself the pressure of removing items I will still use to get to an artificial social media definition of minimal or capsule. I hope that makes sense. I think hunting gathering the perfect items is a trait I’ve always had and so the idea of creating a capsule can work against me in my efforts to consume less.
I download an app called Whearing and digitalise my wardrobe, it helps me so much to see what I have and discover new combinations, also because the clothes are in the app feels like you are shopping of your wardrobe, I don't know if that's necessary good but I think it helps to see your clothes with new eyes. And lastly, you don't forget what you have because you can see it more often if you use the app. Love your content 💖
What have you learned or noticed from using the app??
I'm very tempted with the Amazon sale coming up thanks for your videos
great point about the manufactured interest.
initially I was never really that interested in makeup, fashion or handbags. social media kind of brought me into it. also you mentioned in another video that the first reaction is generally what you feel about a product. most of the time, I didn't love trends when I first saw them, but with more time it became something I thought I wanted.
Love this video! I have been rewatching your contentment videos from a while back and they have been a huge help to me. Nice to see you are still talking about the importance of using and enjoying what we already have. Thank you!
those are some of my favourite! I loved the contentment project and it changed so much for me. I hope you enjoy them too!
You inspired me to go through my clothes and organize them for winter. It led to me throwing some stuff out, which means I may also end up buying things again. We'll see. At least now I remember what I have. Enough painting clothes, that is for sure. 😅
I found your video again, and i'm so glad that i'm a subscriber to your channel. I have found that in my past month or so, i've just lost the will to limit my consumption. And now i'm paying the price- my house is cluttered and I don't feel so good about things in my life right now. I thought I could watch youtube to fill my time, but it guided me towards influencers i've watched in the past - and led to several unintended purchases. So this is a great reminder to make sure that I am enjoying what I do have, rather than thinking I don't have enough. Thank you so much for keeping up on your channel and providing so many great things to think about.
"Eliminating the detractors that make you wanna buy stuff" 👏
YES! Perfectly illustrates my continued urge to minimize a bit at this stage - it's not for the sake of minimalism, but rather for all the positive effects of a smaller collection of stuff. When I love my wardrobe (which I do), why would I want to possibly mess it up by bringing in something new?
I love this video. Esp not being able to shop our way out of problems.
It’s interesting about fast fashion - I started buying things from shein well over 10 years ago before it got the connotations it has today. I still have a good 90% of the clothes I bought back in the day from there. I have definitely reduced my consumption as I’ve gotten older and I think it’s important to recognise it’s about changes in the habit rather than making people feel they should just “buy better”.
Hi, I have been watching your videos for months, really enjoy the thoughtfulness and supports my own efforts to think deeply about my consumption habits. I recently saw a video critiquing Western culture and the underlying mindset related to resource extraction and a pattern of endless consumption of resources, which ultimately came down to a dearth of creativity and soul, for lack of better words. When a person hasn't developed their creative expression they copy, exploit or draw off of others' creativity and claim it as their own. This process describes that influencer loop we all see on YT, both first hand and second hand exploitation of creativity. If we could all just mind our own business more, stop peeping into others' closets and focus on our own lane, develop strength to stand in our own creative process, it would kill these multibillion dollar industries very quickly. Others make a lot of money off of promoting conformity, stifling individual creativity, and denying the realization that we don't need all of this crap that is being marketed relentlessly to us.
I have always enjoyed looking through the fashion trends (who,what,wear etc) and seeing what I already have, that fits the trend. Makes me appreciate what I have and makes me feel on point with my previous fashion choices 😂 for example I have a red jumper, mock neck, balloon sleeves, relaxed fit, that I have had for around 7 years. Then saw a pretty much identically shaped red jumper being touted as a new trend for autumn this year! Perfect!
Thanks as always for your content Shawna ❤
Learning how to alter my clothes to fit better/look different, taking an inventory and tracking how long it takes to use something up, embroidery to personalize things, getting creative to find other uses for things that I have
Really enjoyed this video! My husband and I just deep cleaned our bedroom and got rid of any clothes we don't wear so this was a great time to see this video.
Right now I am enjoying what I have by making a bullet journal. In the past, I used to buy a new journal when I needed one. Right now I am looking around the house and seeing what old notebooks or piles of paper I have. I am cutting them down and making cute covers and creating a Travelers Journal style for myself. i did buy some foam to make the overall covers but the inserts are made from old notebook paper and craft paper I already had. I tied them up with some craft floss I already had too. My goal was to buy as little as possible and make do with what I had in the house already
I love all my stuff…love it…sure it’s hard when you move but the thing that really depresses me and totally puts me into a low mood is my husband constantly make comments about it…about how it’s a mental sickness I have….he comments of tv shows and will say…there that’s you you’re a hoarder….and how he will throw everything away if I pass before him. And just for the record I’m not a rubbish hoarder my house is clean tidy and organised ….I just have a lot of garden stuff…..craft stuff…..office stuff….I might need this stuff…..but him making comments about my mental state does nothing to help me. Actually makes me think even more how much happier I would be with just all my stuff and him gone. Sad but true.
I got the idea to rotate displaying my stuffed animals on the month/season when I moved into my new place because showcasing them all at once was too cluttery for me. I also kept an old and tattered shoe rack because... It goes in my closet and still holds shoes 🤷
but I've been buying new things too as I've just moved into a new apartment. I've been trying hard to make sure I only get stuff I need and not to go overboard.
I might use old pillows with designs on them as decorations around my place, sort of having a themed corner (of stuff I already own).
I have a Pyrex that I can melt old candles in and create wax melts of what's left, or I can create new candles with them
I'm planning on getting a clothes rack to showcase my favorite hoodies/sweatshirts in my bedroom because I have been collecting them and I want to rotate what I wear and it's just easier if they're out for me to do that
And I have a bunch of old T-shirts I want to turn into other things! Tank top, grocery bag, maybe a pillow or quilt...
I love putting on your videos while doing chores - I also feel like you helped me a lot to go back to my 'roots'. Around the time I left high school, moved out I had a much more minimal, conscious consumer mindset, but along the way of trying to balance uni and adult life and influences of social media made me go off that path a bit. Watching videos like yours made me think about my purchases more!
I realized that sometimes 'aestheticizing' parts of my life or routine can bring me lots of joy initially, but the upkeep on that kind of thing is more stressful than it's worth. So once a week (usually a Saturday night or Sunday morning) I spend a few hours being super 'aesthetic'- make a nice dinner or brunch and plate it with a garnish, take a picture of it maybe, but I don't fuss if it's not perfect. Warm food is better than pretty food! I make a fancy latte or mocktail, and then I either do my makeup or have a long shower, 'shopping my stash' for stuff I haven't used it awhile. I put on a cute outfit, usually I plan a little theme or vibe in my head and then shop my closet for it. Sometimes I go for a walk or take selfies, but usually I then just hop on discord with my friends and look cute as all get-out while we play a game or watch a movie!
That sounds so fun! Something I do is plan themed triple-features on my rare down days. I like horror and weird philosophical movies so it can get pretty out there, and I do better at getting through my to-be-watched when I frame it as a comparison marathon. Then I get to discuss the experience with friends even if they have’t seen the films themselves.
I honestly feel like that the fact that we want an aesthetic life made consumerism Skye-rocket, it definitely feels nice to have a tidy, pretty place, but there is definitely a limit - like finding what you like instead of buying stuff that's super trendy. Love your idea, I struggle with this and this seems like a good balance
Love, the idea of dressing using themes, I've been doing this for sometime now and it's been nothing but fun. I've been wearing items I haven't worn in years in addition to my husbands stuff. Last week I used one of his little tool bags as a purse because my theme for the day was construction worker. So I rocked my reflective vest, carpenters pants, steel toe boots and tool bag, and yes, I was just going to the mall, but I had so much fun.
You should try the apps for your closet like indyx! I absolutely love it and you can track cost per wear nd how many times you’ve worn something since you’ve bought it. You can also make outfits :). There are many apps like this but I recommended the one I use ❤
I've done this and made several videos on it! totally agree that these apps are awesome!
I was inspired by you to do a no buy in September. I also decided to declutter at the same time, and spending time physically handling all the objects I have, and reflecting on how I feel about them and how useful they are (or aren't!) has naturally made me appreciate my stuff more. When I was decluttering, a lot of objects made me feel sad when I thought of donating them or throwing them away, and it was good to interrogate why I felt that way. Maybe it was because a shirt has a great texture and never gives me sensory issues, or a pair of jeans fits me comfortably when my weight fluctuates. I found some drawings I did in high school that are really nice and reminded me that I have a creative side, and I decided to frame them and hang them up instead of leaving them buried in my closet. It was good to remind myself of why I chose / created the stuff I have. It reminded me to enjoy that stuff for those reasons.
Short answer: handle and reflect on the items you own, frequently.
(Edited to add what someone else already mentioned: I unsubscribed from EVERY SINGLE THING that made me want to shop. Every email subscription, even every youtube ASMR channel that does makeup hauls, etc.)
Nothing to add but I want to leave a comment to boost the visibility of this video because the topic is so important.
Enjoying your pieces are part of your life...adding what you need makes things special as life is always changing...appreciation us wonderful !!!❤❤❤
In the past four years I have been selling on eBay tons of things I had, especially figurines, toys, action figures, memorabilia, everything from movies, books, cds, dvds. Everything that DIDN'T got sold, I put it on display on cardboard boxes outside where I work (cinema theater) with the sign TAKE EVERYTHING YOU WANT, ALL GIFTS!! ❤ And people and kids got everything!!!!! It was amazing ❤❤❤❤ Also some left messages like Thank you so much with pens and pencils on the cardboard boxes!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
I am loving your videos so much in the lead up to christmas! Ive genuinely stopped myself from buying unnecessary makeup so many times, I only got 1 makeup thing this year as a treat which is a cream blush that was on sale because ive never tried one! x
I go to college near my mom’s house (1.5 hr drive). And I love clothes but I also sometimes get impulsive bouts to shop or clean out my closet. Whenever I get those impulses I make a pile of clothes to “give away” and send them back to my mom’s house. If the next time I return I had not missed them, needed them, or even remembered them. They go. But it’s often that I come back and realized that I wanted the shirt that I had “gotten rid of” or was re-enthralled by a dress I had forgotten about.
I love this! bc i legit think so similar to you when it comes to fashion and being influenced. Im going to try this, “ i dont care!” Thank you for this strategy!
Thank you Shawna, I'm so glad I discovered your channel. I started a blog last month, that has so far meandered through far too many topics to actually build an audience. Today's video though has me soul-searching, and realizing I have a LOT to say in the conscious consumerism space. So thank you for such wonderful videos AND for inspiring an old AuDHDer like myself to settle into a single genre:)
As a crafter, the best thing I have ever heard is to use the good craft supplies!
Love to reduce and re-use and repurpose, thank you! Fun and a big reason why we are enjoying super early retirement💪